A watch dealer put in a chokehold during a robbery at his west London store has been found dead in non-suspicious circumstances.
Two men stole a number of high-value watches from Oliver White’s shop in Kew Road, Richmond on Saturday afternoon.
CCTV shows the member of staff being assaulted after initially being asked to fix a timepiece for them.
The victim, who was from Surrey and in his 20s, died hours later in Shepperton and his next of kin have been informed, the Metropolitan Police said.
Mr White’s girlfriend Alana Dredge posted an emotional message on her Instagram page in his memory, promising to “cherish him forever”.
She said: “My darling boy I can’t believe you’re gone. This was our last photo together. “This was only two weeks ago and now I’ll never see you again.
“The last thing you said to me was I love you. I will cherish you forever, being with you was the best six years of my life. I hope you are reading this from up there, I will continue to make you proud.”
Mr White and Ms Dredge were saving to buy their first home together.
The hair extension stylist revealed she would still “buy the house you exactly wanted and it’ll be your home”.
Ms Dredge, who is still sending WhatsApp messages to Mr White’s phone, added: “I don’t know how I’ll do life without you, my whole world has ended.
“My life will never be the same again I can’t explain how much I love you. I will never stop loving you – I’m so numb I can’t cry anymore.
“I have never felt pain like this, you were the only person that could give me comfort like no other and make all my pain go away.
“Now you’re not here I don’t know what I’m going to do. I love you Oliver more than I can put into words.”
The robbery investigation remains with the Met’s Flying Squad and his death is being probed by colleagues in the neighbouring force.
It is not being considered as homicide at this stage said a police spokesman, adding: “We are aware of the death of a man in Surrey on Sunday, May 26.
“This is being investigated by officers from Surrey Police and is not being treated as suspicious at this time.
“The man who died was the victim of a robbery at a jewellers in Richmond on Saturday, May 25.
“We ask that the privacy of his family is respected at this difficult time.”
The pair of robbers fled with a large loot of watches during the raid at 2.50pm.
Footage shows one suspect put the employee, who was not seriously injured, in a headlock while the other ransacks the shop.
The dealer is held by both arms and violently pushed across the room on his chair into a corner.
He looks on helplessly as a robber stuffs watches into a bag.
One of the men wore a grey hoodie and ripped blue jeans. The second, with a distinctive neck tattoo, had blue jeans, a blue and white T-shirt and sunglasses on his head.
In a statement on Tuesday, Surrey Police said: “Officers were called to a location in Shepperton on Sunday, May 26 shortly after 8.15pm following a report of a concern for safety.
“A man in his 20s was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin are aware and are being supported.
“Enquiries are still ongoing, but his death is not thought to be suspicious.”
Richmond is one of the most affluent residential areas in the country – with five-bed properties on Kew Road selling for more than £4.5 million.
The area is home to celebrities including broadcaster Sir David Attenborough and singer Rick Astley.
Anyone who recognises the men or has information that could assist police is asked to call 101, quoting CAD4555/25May, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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