LONDON, United Kingdom — Talay Riley, a British-Nigerian singer and songwriter whose career spanned more than a decade in the R&B industry, was fatally stabbed in East London on Friday, June 5, 2026, triggering a murder investigation by Metropolitan Police homicide detectives.
Riley, whose legal name was Mark Yinka Orabiyi, was 35 years old.
The attack took place at approximately 9am on Friday on Pankhurst Avenue in Silvertown, according to the Newham Recorder, a local publication.
Emergency services arrived at the scene but were unable to save him.
Homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command have since opened an investigation into the killing.
His family confirmed his death in a statement, saying, “It is with overwhelming sadness that we confirm that Mark ‘Yinka’ Orabiyi, professionally known as Talay Riley, passed away yesterday morning.”
The family described Riley as a Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling songwriter and artist, and said his humour, generosity and presence would be deeply missed.
They also acknowledged the public response to the news, adding, “We are deeply grateful for the enormous outpouring of love and support that we have received through messages, calls and visits over the past hours.”
A Career Built Over a Decade
Riley secured a publishing deal with Global Publishing at the age of 18 and later signed with Jive/Sony Records after appearing on rapper Chipmunk’s 2009 single.
He was the brother of music producer Scribz Riley, and had built a sustained presence in the British R&B scene over the years.
Singer Craig David, with whom Riley collaborated on his 2018 album The Time Is Now, was among those who paid public tribute, as was rapper Stormzy.
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Brother’s Tribute
In a post on Instagram, Scribz Riley described the loss in deeply personal terms, writing, “My heart is shattered! This doesn’t feel real. It feels like a bad dream. Just before he went to sleep we spoke about the future, staying positive and about everything we still had left to do. I never imagined that would be our last conversation.”
“Yinka wasn’t just my brother. He was my mother’s son, a friend to many, a mentor, an inspiration, and a light in so many people’s lives. He had one of the purest hearts I’ve ever known. He loved deeply, gave freely, and touched countless people through his talent, kindness, and spirit.”
Scribz added, “The outpouring of love already shows how many lives he impacted. You inspired so many people and your legacy will continue to live on through your music, your family, your friends, and everyone blessed enough to have known you. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me and my family, we appreciate you all.”
