THE family of a teenager whose body was found in an Eltham garden broke down in tears when they visited the scene.

Stephen Ojerinola, aged 18, from Camberwell, went missing in April, his relatives said.

Police searching a semi-detached house in Lynsted Gardens, found his remains on Sunday and a post-mortem examination revealed he died from stab wounds.

Carrying framed pictures of him, more than a dozen family members, including his mother Olayinka Ojerinola and stepfather Ade Bakare, both 48, visited the quiet residential street where his body was discovered to lay flowers.

His mother collapsed with grief on two occasions and had to be supported by the others. Dressed in black, relatives placed several bunches of lilies in the front garden of the house, lit a candle and said a prayer.

They described Mr Ojerinola as a "bright, articulate and intelligent boy whose family adored him" and said he was a "loving son and brother" to his two sisters and three brothers.

Community activist Lee Jasper, who is supporting the family, read out a statement on their behalf, while the young man's mother continued to sob.

"Stephen was our beautiful son whose callous and brutal murder has left his entire family in a state of profound shock and disbelief.

"Stephen was a teenager that faced challenges typical for someone of his age. Nevertheless Stephen had both huge potential and his entire life before him."

Lee Davies, 35, of Chiswell Square, Greenwich, and William Regan, 36, of Lynsted Gardens, Eltham have been charged with murder.

They were due to appear via video-link at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court today.

Regan has also been charged with two counts of residential burglary.