The body of murdered student Ricardo Cox is to be repatriated to Jamaica for burial, the Croydon Guardian can reveal.

Ricardo’s mother expressed her wishes to have his body sent back to the Caribbean to be buried closer to where she and his younger sister still live.

Mr Cox, 20, was gunned down in a drive-by shooting on November 25 as he made his way home with his brother, Oniel Cox. They had been walking home from central Croydon after buying a takeaway meal from Kentucky Fried Chicken.

As they approached the junction of Derby Road and Mitcham Road, a black Honda Accord pulled alongside the two brothers and fired a pistol at Ricardo. He was hit twice in the chest and died hours later in hospital.

It is believed that the promising young student was gunned down in a case of mistaken identity, after another youth was shot in the arm little more than a week before.

So far, two men have been arrested for the murder. The first youth, 18, was arrested in the Tulse Hill area while the second youth, also 18, was arrested at an address in Brixton on December 22. Both men have been released on bail.

Detective Chief Inspector Damian Allain, who is leading the investigation into the murder, said: “Ricardo was not linked to any gangs and was a young man who wanted to do positive things with his life.

“Those responsible for Ricardo’s murder have shot him in cold blood.

“They drove up and asked him whether he was in a gang, to which he said no, and then drove off.

“The car turned round a short distance up the road and drove back past Ricardo, this time firing a number of shots, two of which hit him, one fatally.”

Detectives are still appealing for anyone with any information about either the murder, or the vehicle used in the murder, to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4805. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.