The death of beloved American drag artist Heklina, whose real name was Steven Grygelko, has left friends and family searching for answers. Nearly two years after she was found dead in her London flat, police released CCTV of three men present the night she died. Grannell, a friend and fellow performer, expressed anger at the lengthy delay and alleged that the slow progress hints at homophobia within the police force. Heklina was in London for a performance when her lifeless body was discovered in an alarming position by Grannell.
Grannell said he was furious the Metropolitan police did not release the CCTV sooner and that the force's handling of the case smacked of homophobia.
I think it's caused them to not prioritise it at all and just ignore it. We're just not important enough to get their attention, the artist said.
Grannell suspected something was wrong after returning to their rented flat in Soho Square on the morning of 3 April to find their front door was unlocked.
Grygelko, who was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, cofounded the legendary San Francisco drag night Trannyshack in 1996 and performed around the world.
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