Lain Estridge’s cousin has called for “clarity” three months on from his death
19:50, 15 May 2026Updated 22:52, 15 May 2026
A protest march for Lain Estridge makes its way from Grove Street (Image: Liverpool Echo)
The family of Lain Estridge has called for justice and clarity three months on from his death. Family and friends took to the street as they remembered Lain following his death after an incident on Back Falkner Street in Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter at around 3.15pm on Friday, February 13.
In statements issued by both Merseyside Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), it has been reported Lain collided with a stationary police van after coming off his e-bike as officers attempted to carry out a stop. Today, Friday May 15, upwards of a hundred people gathered on Grove Street, where fireworks were set off.
Some of the people marching wore customised Nike Air Force One trainers remembering Lain, who was known among his friends as Lizzy. Banners bearing photos of Lain and the words “we need justice” and “justice for Lain” were carried as purple smoke from flares filled the air of Liverpool’s streets.
Making their way through the city centre, the march halted traffic and prompted support from the cars passing by. Horns blared and speakerphones echoed the words “no justice, no peace”.
After setting off at 4.16pm, the time acknowledged by his family as the time Lain died, they arrived at Merseyside Police Headquarters on St Anne Street just short of an hour later where the group marched peacefully to the front door and chanted “justice for Lain” 23 times – one chant for every year of his life.
A protest march for Lain Estridge makes its way from Grove Street(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Purple flares were lit again, with a minute of silence following. Tears were shed by family members as they remembered the young man at the doors of the police HQ.
The group turned back, walking to St Anne’s Police Station where banners and placards were placed on the gates of the police station. One family member played music within the doorway of the station before doors and windows of the police building were shut by officers inside.
Lain’s cousin, Demmere Estridge, stood in front of the crowd, inviting them to circle round her and her family in the police station car park. She passionately called for clarity and justice months on from her cousin’s death, which is still being investigated by the IOPC.
Tributes to Lain Estridge on Grove Street in Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
She said: “On the 13th February, at around 3pm, Lain was riding his bike to go and pick up tickets for his friend’s boxing match but on his way there he was stopped and searched by police. By 16.16 Lain was pronounced dead.
“The incident happened only a street away from our nan’s home, he did not get far before being intercepted by police. We have not been given clarity about the cause of Lain’s death but the injuries we saw on him lying in the hospital bed that day were heartbreaking and I have not been able to get that image out of my head.”
Demmere continued: “Police failed to have a duty of care and we’re supposed to feel safe in their hands, not fear that our life can end in an instant. The impact this has had on Lain’s siblings and family is extremely painful. It is a huge pain of loss for us all. We have been lost and confused for three months.”
Finishing her moving four-minute speech to the crowd, she added: “We will never recover from this trauma and we won’t rest until we get our questions answered so let’s stand firm and strong as a family and as a community for our boy, Lain, and thank you so much. I will remember everyone’s faces who have come today.”
Demmere Estridge, cousin of Lain Estridge, speaks outside Merseyside Police Headquarters(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Speaking to the ECHO ahead of her speech to the crowd, Demmere said: “It means a lot to see the community come together and to see a lot of people we know support this. We just want justice now and for our questions to be answered.
“This has had a huge impact on us. I feel like it is even harder for the boys, they’re young and grieving. We want answers to what happened to Lain.”
As the community came together to remember Lain, one woman told the ECHO how every person who marched in his memory knew him, with tears streaming down the faces of onlookers during his cousin’s powerful speech.
In an update given to the ECHO earlier this week, a spokesperson for the IOPC said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Lain Estridge, as well as all those affected by his death. Our investigation into the circumstances surrounding Merseyside Police’s attempt to stop him, including officers’ actions once he came off the e-bike he was riding, continues to make good progress.
Customised Nike Air Force Ones worn during the march(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“Given the tragic outcome in this case, it is important for there to be a thorough investigation to understand the events surrounding Lain’s death. This is being carried out independently of the police.
“Investigators are carrying out a thorough review of the evidence, which includes a substantial amount of video footage covering the incident and police actions immediately after the collision. We have spoken to several witnesses, including police officers and paramedics who were at the scene, and await a number of forensic reports, which will be considered as part of our investigator’s report.
“As with all our investigations, we will continue to provide regular updates to Lain’s family, Merseyside Police and the coroner.”
A post-mortem was carried out the day after Mr Estridge’s death. The results have not been made publicly available, with the ECHO previously being told more testing was in the process of taking place. The coroner also previously confirmed Mr Estridge’s death had been referred but there was no further information about when an inquest would open.