Harry Potter actor Robert Knox was murdered at the age of 18, shortly after completing work on the sixth film in the franchise. He was best known for playing Ravenclaw student Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, released in 2009, and had also signed on for the seventh film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, released in 2010.
Attack in Sidcup
Knox was stabbed to death in Sidcup, south London, in May 2008, after intervening in a fight when his 16-year-old brother Jamie was threatened by a man armed with two kitchen knives. Karl Bishop stabbed Knox five times as he attempted to defend his brother.
Knox was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich.
Conviction and sentencing
Bishop, who was 22 at the time of the crime, was found guilty of murder in March 2009 and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years before parole is considered. He was also found guilty on four counts of wounding and was handed three further concurrent life sentences for injuring Knox's friends.
At his sentencing, Mr Justice Bean said: "I do not think it is proved that you intended to kill Robert Knox. The truth is that you simply could not care less whether you killed him or not. Your lack of regret let alone remorse was truly chilling."
Bishop denied murder and five counts of wounding, but the court heard he had acted out of "revenge" following a fight with Knox and his friends the week before the murder, in which he came out worse.
Documentary and career
In the ITV documentary, The Rob Knox Story, the late star's family and friends looked back on his life and the lead up to his death. His Harry Potter co-stars, including Jim Broadbent, Tom Felton, and director David Yates, also featured in the programme.
In the documentary, Knox's younger brother Jamie recalled what happened at the scene after his brother was stabbed. "I remember hugging mum and as I was hugging her, I could see over her shoulder that they were resuscitating him. I think in my heart I knew that he was probably dead then," he said.
Knox's first cinematic appearance was as an extra in King Arthur in 2004, while his first credited role was a small part in ITV police drama The Bill aged 11. He also starred in the Channel 4 reality show Trust Me, I'm a Teenager (2003) and the BBC comedy After You're Gone (2007).
