A mother whose son was fatally stabbed in front of his child at an east London barber shop has said she is in a ‘living nightmare’. 

Josh McKay, 33, was killed by a former friend in Leyton in July 2024 as his son watched on. 

His mother, Bash Kehinde, had been with Josh at the family home on an ‘ordinary’ Saturday before he headed out with his child, never to return.

The businessman – who ran a company helping people coming out of care to build independent lives – died at the scene in front of his mum, who raced from home after receiving the call informing her what had happened.

A book detailing her ordeal, Finding me – Unfrozen, was released on November 6 – the day Josh would have turned 36. 

She told : ‘I am in a living nightmare.

‘As he lay on the floor I pleaded with him, “Son it’s mum, wake up. It’s ok, get up now.”‘

She said that on the day her son died, her life was plunged into darkness.

Ms Kehinde, who has a background in psychology and helped victims of the Grenfell fire, said: ‘People see you working, managing a business or having a conversation and assume you must be coping.

‘They don’t necessarily see what it takes to do those ordinary things. I wanted to put words to that hidden struggle.

‘When Josh’s body was taken away that day I died too.

‘Josh is my son. His life matters, and I want people to know something of him beyond a headline.’

Rapper Renai Belle, who fatally stabbed Josh in the neck, was jailed for life at the Old Bailey in July 2025 and must serve at least 28 years.

Josh’s mother said her son was well-known for his good deeds in the community and had been nicknamed a ‘real life Batman’.

She said 600 people had attended a memorial to him, adding: ‘He was very funny, always seeing the funny side of things. He had time for everyone.’

To those carrying knives, the grieving mum said: ‘Remember, you can also expose yourself to violence even though you think you’re carrying the knife for self-defence.

‘It could be your mother that takes the call today that you have been killed.’

Finding Me – Unfrozen is available to buy now on Amazon.

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