Keith Preddie, Daniel Matos and Joshua Cowley are each serving life sentences for the murder of 19-year-old Tyler Donnelly, who was stabbed to death in a park in Feltham, west London, on 24 January 2024. In a case notable for the fact that none of the three men had ever met their victim before the attack, all were convicted at the Old Bailey in February 2026 and sentenced to life imprisonment on 7 May 2026.

Who Was Tyler Donnelly?

Tyler Donnelly was a 19-year-old young man described by those who knew him as football-mad and full of life. He lived in the Feltham area of west London and was known to friends and family as a sociable and enthusiastic young man whose passion for sport was central to his identity. His death in January 2024 devastated his family and prompted a major murder investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

The killing was particularly shocking because, as would emerge during the subsequent trial, the three men convicted of his murder had never previously met Tyler. The attack was targeted and premeditated, but motivated by reasons unrelated to any personal connection between Tyler and his killers.

What Happened in Hanworth Park?

In the late evening of Wednesday 24 January 2024, Tyler Donnelly entered Hanworth Park in Feltham, a public green space in the London Borough of Hounslow. Shortly after 21:00, Keith Preddie, Daniel Matos and Joshua Cowley — armed with two knives — cycled into the park and carried out a sustained and targeted attack on Tyler. The assault lasted approximately five minutes.

Tyler sustained multiple stab wounds, including a fatal wound to the neck. Officers were called to the park in the early hours of 25 January after Tyler was found unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. At trial, the prosecution described the attack as calculated and deliberate. No witnesses saw the assault take place, and there was no CCTV footage of the attack itself, making the subsequent investigation all the more challenging for detectives.

How Were the Killers Caught?

The Metropolitan Police investigation, described in court as meticulous, relied heavily on digital and forensic evidence. CCTV footage captured Tyler entering the park and the three defendants cycling in shortly afterwards and departing a short time later. Crucially, Daniel Matos was subject to an electronic tag at the time, and GPS data from that tag placed him at the exact location in the park where Tyler’s body was found.

Officers arrested all three men on Sunday 28 January 2024, just four days after the attack. During a search of Daniel Matos’s room, a hoodie was discovered that was later forensically confirmed to be stained with Tyler’s blood. By overlaying GPS data, mobile phone cell data and CCTV footage, detectives were able to build a comprehensive picture of the movements of all three suspects on the night of the murder.

The Trial and Verdict

A first trial took place but resulted in a retrial being ordered. The retrial began at the Old Bailey in January 2026 and ran for five weeks. On 27 February 2026, the jury returned guilty verdicts against all three defendants on the charge of murder. The prosecution had presented the GPS tag evidence, the forensic blood match, and the CCTV footage as the cornerstone of its case.

The defence teams argued against the reliability of certain elements of the evidence, but the jury was persuaded by the totality of the digital and forensic material presented. The conviction of all three men on the same day was the conclusion of a two-year investigation and legal process that had placed enormous strain on the Donnelly family.

What Sentences Did They Receive?

On 7 May 2026, all three men were sentenced to life imprisonment at the Old Bailey. The minimum terms they must each serve before becoming eligible to apply to the Parole Board for release are as follows:

• Keith Preddie, 34, of Feltham: life with a minimum term of 27 years
• Daniel Matos, 23, of Hounslow: life with a minimum term of 27 years and 6 months
• Joshua Cowley, 29, of Hounslow: life with a minimum term of 25 years

Between them, the three men were jailed for a combined minimum of 79 and a half years. None of them will be eligible for parole consideration until they have each served their minimum tariff, and even then release is far from guaranteed. Life sentences in England and Wales mean that a prisoner remains on licence for the rest of their natural life, meaning they can be recalled to custody at any time if they breach licence conditions after eventual release.

Families of murder victims are entitled to make victim personal statements, which are read to the court before sentencing and inform the judge of the impact the offence has had. If you have a loved one in custody and wish to maintain contact, our guide to sending money to a prisoner and our page on booking a prison visit provide practical information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Keith Preddie, Daniel Matos and Joshua Cowley in prison?

Keith Preddie, Daniel Matos and Joshua Cowley are in prison because they were convicted of the murder of Tyler Donnelly, a 19-year-old who was stabbed to death in Hanworth Park, Feltham, on 24 January 2024. All three were found guilty at the Old Bailey on 27 February 2026 and sentenced to life imprisonment on 7 May 2026.

Who was Tyler Donnelly and how did he die?

Tyler Donnelly was a 19-year-old from west London who was stabbed to death in Hanworth Park, Feltham, on 24 January 2024. He sustained multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. None of the three men convicted of his murder had ever met him before the night of the attack.

How were Keith Preddie, Daniel Matos and Joshua Cowley caught?

The three men were caught through a combination of CCTV evidence placing them near the scene, GPS data from an electronic tag worn by Daniel Matos confirming his location at the park, and forensic evidence — a hoodie belonging to Matos that was stained with the blood of Tyler Donnelly. All three were arrested just four days after the murder.

What are the minimum prison terms for Keith Preddie, Daniel Matos and Joshua Cowley?

Keith Preddie received a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years. Daniel Matos received a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years and 6 months. Joshua Cowley received a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years. None will be eligible to apply for parole until they have each served their respective minimum terms.

Will Keith Preddie, Daniel Matos and Joshua Cowley ever be released?

They may become eligible to apply to the Parole Board for release once they have each served their minimum tariff, but release is not automatic. The Parole Board would need to be satisfied that they no longer pose a risk to the public. Even if released, they would remain on life licence for the rest of their lives and could be recalled to custody at any time.