Friends and supporters of Steven Grygelko, known as drag artist Heklina, have accused the Metropolitan Police of homophobia in their handling of his death investigation. Protesters gathered outside Scotland Yard demanding accountability, highlighting the lack of public appeals and delayed release of CCTV footage related to the case. LGBTQ+ activists argue that the police's response reflects systemic bias against the community. The Met has started a review to identify missed opportunities in the investigation and has apologized to Grygelko's family, though many feel the police have not conducted a serious investigation.
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.
This case suggests the force was institutionally homophobic, as Baroness Casey concluded in her review of the Met in 2023.
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