Mum of murdered Ronan Kanda tells BBC Idris Elba documentary 'everyone failed' son

The mum of a teenager killed in a case of mistaken identity will feature on a new BBC documentary airing tonight (Wednesday, January 29). The programme sees Hollywood star Idris Elba looking into the rise in knife crime across the UK.

One family affected by the violence is that of Ronan Kanda who was murdered two doors down from his home on June 29, 2022. His killers, Sukhman Shergill and Prabjeet Veadhesa, had mistaken him for another teenager who lived on the same road.

Speaking in the documentary, his mum Pooja Kanda said: "Ronan was a [case of] mistaken identity." "Ronan wasn't doing anything to anyone, he was just walking home.

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"This perpetrator, he took my child's life thinking [he was his] intended target. When we were shown the ninja sword - that went through my child's heart - I fainted on the day that I saw it."

Opening up about the loss of her son, the mum said she would hug and kiss him each morning and that he was "still my baby." Speaking from his bedroom, she added: "I get in this bed but this side is empty now. Try making sense of that to me."

Pooja blames the horrific crime on multiple failures to stop Ronan's killers. She said: "The perpetrators, what they did, they could have been stopped many times. Everyone failed, including police, [the] education system, the perpetrator's family [and] parents.

"All these failures are the reason my son is not on this side of the bed today. These failures will continue if they are not highlighted. If they're not being told 'you've messed up big time, you've failed in your duties.'"

Speaking of Ronan's killer, she said: "He's an angry man, he needed help. If someone is troubled, you don't leave them out on their own to go and do whatever [they] want because you don't want that problem on you."

Ronan's killers were both 16 at the time of the killing and were later convicted of murder and detained for life. Veadhesa, then of Cairn Drive, Bentley, Walsall, was told he must serve a minimum of 18 years. Shergill, then of Bewley Road, Willenhall, was handed a minimum term of 16 years

The BBC1 documentary which features Ronan's story airs at 9pm tonight. It sees Idris Elba speak with PM Keir Starmer to discuss reforms after it was revealed that an average of four people died each week in 2024 due to knife crime.

A description of the programme on BBC iPlayer reads: "Knife crime is spreading across the UK, with an average of four people stabbed to death every week.

"For Idris Elba, this isn’t just a statistic - it’s personal. Growing up in east London, where violence was a constant threat, he understands the critical choices that shape futures.

"Aware of how easily his own path could have gone in a different direction, Idris - actor, campaigner and man determined to make a difference - embarks on a mission to confront this crisis. Idris reflects on his youth and his determination to create opportunities for others.

"His requests culminate in a knife crime summit at 10 Downing Street, bringing together those directly affected to influence policy and inspire change."