Mark Corcoran Photo: Metropolitan Police

Police are offering a reward of up to £20,000 to for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of a young man from Croydon in February this year.

Mark Corcoran, who was 26, into the Subitha Food and Wine shop on Whitehorse Lane, SE25 shortly after 8pm on Sunday 14 February, asking for help after being stabbed. Shortly afterwards he collapsed. Police believe he was stabbed within 100 yards of the shop.

Police and the London Ambulance Service were called but Mark was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination held at Croydon Mortuary the following day gave his cause of death as a stab wound to the chest. A man in his 40s was arrested on 16 February on suspicion of murder and taken to a south London police station. He was bailed to return pending further inquiries in October.

Officers would still like to speak to anyone who may have seen or spoken with Mark that day  – Valentine’s Day. They would also like to hear from anyone who was in the area of the Crystal Palace football ground after 7.30 that evening and who may have seen or heard anything – there had been a Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa FA Cup match that day.

An incident room was opened at Lewisham under Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

DCI Lyons said: “We still do not know why Mark was stabbed that night. He was wearing a distinctive black and white stripey top that night and would have struggled to walk the 100 yards to the shop. Lots of people were around that evening, either out celebrating Valentine’s Day or at the football match. We would like to hear from these people no matter how insignificant their information may seem, if may assist us with finding out what happened to Mark. “

Any witnesses or anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4961; if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.