Protest demands justice for drag artist found dead in London

Nearly two years after the American drag artist Heklina was found dead in London, her friends and fans gathered outside the Metropolitan police's HQ to protest against the force's handling of the case.

- Emine Sinmaz

Heklina, whose real name was Steven Grygelko, was found at a flat in Soho, central London, on 3 April 2023, by a friend and fellow drag performer, Peaches Christ, real name Joshua Grannell.

It was not until 21 months later that the Met issued a public appeal, releasing CCTV images of three men who were at the 55-year-old's flat on the night she died.

Yesterday, the performer's loved ones organised protests in London and San Francisco, where Heklina co-founded the legendary drag night Trannyshack in 1996, to demand answers. They alleged the investigation into her death has been marred by delays, a lack of communication and institutional homophobia.