Footballer Ezekiel Williams dies after assault in Milton Keynes, three arrested
Hendon FC midfielder Ezekiel Williams, 26, died in hospital after a suspected assault in Milton Keynes. Three men from Luton have been arrested.
Hendon FC midfielder killed in Milton Keynes attack
A murder investigation has been opened after Ezekiel Williams, a 26-year-old midfielder for north London club Hendon FC, died in hospital following a suspected assault, the Evening Standard reports.
Officers from Thames Valley Police were called by the ambulance service at approximately 1.50am on Sunday to Midsummer Boulevard in Milton Keynes. Williams sustained serious injuries during the incident and died in hospital the following day, Monday.
Three men have been arrested in connection with the case. Two men, aged 21 and 28, both from Luton, were arrested on suspicion of murder. A third man, aged 30, also from Luton, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three have been remanded in custody.
Williams, a Londoner, had joined Hendon FC in September and was beginning to establish himself in the club's first team. He had previously represented a number of non-league sides, including Kettering Town and Marlow FC. Just ten days before his death, he scored his first goal for Hendon in a match against Jersey Bulls.
In a tribute posted on X, Hendon FC described Williams as a "humble, unassuming and generous individual with a razor-sharp wit." The club added: "Zeke was beginning to carve a place for himself in midfield with a series of hard-working and selfless displays that summed him up as a person."
Kettering Town, where Williams played during the 2024–25 season, also paid tribute. A club spokesperson said he had demonstrated "great leadership qualities from the get go" and described him as a "talented, kind, and truly inspirational individual."
As a mark of respect, Hendon's London Senior Cup tie against Woodford Town, scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed.
Detective Inspector Rob Underhill, of Thames Valley Police's Major Crime Unit, said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident was continuing. "We recognise this incident will cause concern within the local community," Underhill said. "There will continue to be an increased police presence in and around The Hub and Milton Keynes city centre over the coming days, and I would encourage anybody with concerns to speak with our officers."
Police have appealed for witnesses and anyone with mobile phone footage, dashcam recordings or CCTV from Midsummer Boulevard at the time of the incident to submit a report online or call 101, quoting reference 43260570882.
Source: Evening Standard