Hunt for three suspects in connection with death of ‘much-loved’ teen

A group of men are wanted in connection with the ‘senseless’ death of a ‘much-loved’ teenager in a hit-and-run.

Ashton Kitchen-White, 19, was struck by a red Ford Focus while he crossed Middleton Ring Road in Leeds at around 10pm on Friday May 16.

The vehicle failed to stop at the scene but was later discovered by police nearby.

The teenager’s devastated family called him a ‘one in a million’ boy who had dreams of becoming a doctor.

‘We cannot express the sheer devastation we all feel,’ they said in a statement.

‘Although his life was cruelly taken from us he will always be remembered for the absolutely beautiful soul that he was.’

West Yorkshire Police are now searching for Regan Kemp, 26, Liam Miller, 24, and Macauley Martin, 26, all in connection with Ashton’s death.

The men are from Scotland and Cornwall and officers believe they returned to those areas after the collision.

The car also travelled from Scotland to Leeds shortly before the crash, the police have determined.

Detective chief inspector James Entwistle said the hunt for the three men was focused around Penzance in Cornwall and Livingston in Scotland.

He added: ‘Ashton was clearly a much-loved and popular young man with a bright future ahead of him, and his family have been left absolutely devastated by his death in such sudden and senseless circumstances.

‘We are determined to do everything we can to get them the answers they need at what remains a really difficult and painful time for them.

‘We urgently need to trace the three men we have named today as suspects.

‘Now is clearly not a time for any misguided sense of loyalty to come above the needs of Ashton’s heartbroken family.’

The 19-year-old victim was about to begin his studies to become a doctor at Leeds University.

His family spoke of their love for Ashton in a statement.

They said: ‘Loved by all his family and friends alike and adored by his brother and two sisters.

‘The family would like to thank everyone for their support and outpouring of love and ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.’

Two teenagers, one aged 19 and the other 15, were previously arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but were later released on police bail.

They are no longer being treated as suspects and have been released from their bail.

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