Metropolitan Police Apologizes for Delay in Investigation of Drag Artist Heklina's Death

The police admitted to communication failures and issued a public appeal for information nearly two years after the death of the performer Steven Grygelko.

The Metropolitan Police Service has expressed regret regarding the handling of its investigation into the death of Steven Grygelko, known professionally as Heklina, an American drag artist.

Grygelko, aged 55, was discovered deceased in his Soho flat on April 3, 2023, by his friend Joshua Grannell, who performs as Peaches Christ.

To date, the police have not released an official cause of death, and officers continue to investigate the matter.

At the time of his passing, Grygelko and Grannell were in London for a performance of their drag parody show, Mommie Queerest, at the Soho Theatre.

Grannell has publicly criticized the police for the time taken to issue a public appeal, stating he was "furious" that nearly two years lapsed before any statement was made.

He detailed frustrations regarding the lack of communication from the Metropolitan Police, claiming that he and other next of kin were not kept informed about the investigation's progress.

In a conversation with the BBC, Grannell revealed that he had been promised regular updates through a family liaison officer assigned to him.

However, he reported that his emails went unanswered for an extended period.

The death investigation is categorized as unexpected, and the police have solicited assistance from the public, specifically releasing CCTV footage of three individuals whom they wish to question in connection with Grygelko's death.

Grannell noted that upon finding Grygelko, he felt certain that someone had been present in the flat before him, indicating that the entrance was not fully secured.

Grannell previously expressed his shock on social media following Grygelko's death, highlighting the significant impact Grygelko had as both a personal friend and a cultural icon.

In their official response, the Metropolitan Police acknowledged the concerns raised by Grygelko's family and friends, stating, "Our thoughts remain with Steven’s friends who have many unanswered questions around his death." They indicated that several inquiries had been conducted prior to the decision to release the CCTV images and recognized the frustration experienced by Grygelko’s next of kin due to the investigation’s pace.

The police reiterated their commitment to engage with the LGBT+ community regarding broader concerns about safety in London, stating that they will take steps to improve communication following the expressed frustrations.