Met accused of homophobia over drag artist's death

Friends and supporters of a US drag artist found dead in central London two years ago have accused the Metropolitan Police of homophobia in their handling of the case.

The Met recently said the death of Steven Grygelko, on 3 April 2023, was "unexpected" but it has not revealed how he died. Steven - also known as Stefan - performed under the name Heklina.

Gathering outside New Scotland Yard, protesters demanded progress in the case and said the inquiry had so far been influenced by "homophobic bias".

The Met said a review of the investigation had begun to establish any "missed opportunities" and said it had apologised to Mr Grygelko's family.

The 55-year-old was found dead at a flat in Soho by his friend Joshua Grannell.

The two men had been staying in London preparing to put on a performance of their parody show, Mommie Queerest, at Soho Theatre.

At the gathering outside Scotland Yard, the Met was again accused of failing to keep Mr Grygelko's friends and family informed about the investigation.

LGBTQ+ activist Peter Tatchell told the BBC he had joined the rally to hold the force to account.

"When Heklina died, there was no public appeal for witnesses and it's taken them two years to release the CCTV footage.

"That is an abject betrayal of trust and confidence, and I think the police have to answer those questions and have to start getting serious about finding out how Heklina died."

He added that the case suggested the force was "institutionally homophobic", as Baroness Casey concluded in her review of the Met in 2023.

"They're not treating the death of a significant member of our community seriously, they've not done the basics of any proper investigation."

Drag performer Colin Seymour, also known as Crystal, told the BBC he was demanding an investigation into the handling of case and an update on recommendations after the Stephen Port murders.

He said the handling of the case had been "disgraceful".

"It seems very clear that homophobic bias has influenced the investigation in this case," the RuPaul's Drag Race star said.

"It paints a very clear picture that if you're a queer person, especially if you're gender non-conforming, and you die unexplained, then the police don't care.

"It seems to be only through the threat of public action that anything's been getting done with this case."

The Met's Det Ch Supt Christina Jessah said the force was aware that some felt "frustration with the pace of the police investigation".

"We continue to examine all lines of inquiry in relation to Steven's death and remain steadfast in our determination to establish the facts."

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