Dead man believed to be sports reporter Raj

5:49pm Wednesday 2nd May 2007

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A man found dead in his Tooting flat on Monday afternoon is believed to be 34-year-old reporter Raj Johal.

The man, discovered by police in the upstairs flat of a house in Drakefield Road at 4.50pm, has not been officially identified.

"At just 34-years-old Raj had his whole life ahead of him. He was a very clever young man who happened to be an exceptionally talented journalist."

Hannah Walker

The cause of death remains a mystery as a postmortem examination carried out yesterday proved inconclusive.

Police, who are describing the death as unexplained, say they are still awaiting toxicology results from St George's Hospital, Tooting.

South London Press editor, Hannah Walker, today described in her blog how the married man's sudden death had shocked her staff.

She wrote: "At just 34-years-old Raj had his whole life ahead of him. He was a very clever young man who happened to be an exceptionally talented journalist.

His role as our deputy sports editor meant he had one of the best jobs at the South London Press, actually he probably had one of the best jobs anywhere.

He covered Charlton and absolutely loved it. He also loved the cricket and enjoyed the boxing - but could pretty much turn his hand to anything.

As he told me on many occasions, on the quiet and in his cheeky fashion, Hannah I could work anywhere, I could leave tomorrow, but I love it here, I am doing what I like.' Not only was he naturally talented - but he had charisma.

He was the sort of chap everyone wanted to know -although not everyone could keep up with his sharp wit."