Terry Lubbock, the father of Stuart Lubbock, died aged 76 back in 2021 after a battle with terminal cancer.
Terry campaigned for justice for his son after he was found drowned in Michael Barrymore‘s swimming pool in 2001.
Sadly, Terry will never know how his son really died. But what happened to Stuart?
Terry Lubbock death: How did son Stuart Lubbock die?
Stuart died under suspicious circumstances on March 31, 2001, after being found in the swimming pool of Mr Barrymore.
Mr Barrymore and two others reported finding Stuart face down in the pool, wearing only a pair of boxer shorts.
Stuart had gone to Mr Barrymore’s Essex home after they had met in a club the night before. They went back to Mr Barrymore’s place to carry on partying.
But the night ended in tragedy.
Disturbingly, the hospital pathologist found that Stuart had “serious” anal injuries, with traces of ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol in his blood.
What happened to Stuart Lubbock?
A 2002 inquest reached an open verdict.
The Coroner at the time said: “None of these witnesses who were party guests for three hours have given to this court an explanation about how Stuart Lubbock…
“… a previously fit 31-year old, should be found floating in a swimming pool at the premises with a significant level of alcohol and drugs in his system and have serious anal injuries.”
Meanwhile, Essex police reportedly failed to call a witness from the hospital, who under sworn statement said that Stuart did not have anal injuries at the time of death.
Subsequently, the criminal investigation became dropped.
Michael Barrymore arrest
In 2006, Terry and his family launched a private investigation.
It called for the arrest of Michael Barrymore.
During the initial investigation, Mr Barrymore’s ex-partner Jonathan Kenney and party attendee Kyle Justin Merrett became arrested.
They later became released.
In 2006, Kylie Merrett was arrested for perjury but was released again after the charges were dropped.
And in 2007, Michael Barrymore was arrested for Stuart’s murder, but later released after being questioned.
What is the latest on the case?
12 years after the death of Stuart, in July 2015, Michael sued Essex Police for damages to his reputation and career. He valued his claim at £2.4m.
Two years later, the High Court ruled that Michael was entitled to ‘more than nominal’ damages against Essex Police.
However, in 2019, the decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal, which ruled that he would only be entitled to “nominal” damages.
It was later revealed that Michael had dropped his compensation claim against Essex Police.
19 years on from Stuart’s death, in February 2020, Essex Police offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in their hunt to solve the case.
In March 2021, Essex police claimed that a witness had given them “significant new information” about the case. They had made an arrest.
A man in his fifties, who was reportedly at the party, was then detained on suspicion of murder and sexual assault.
However, in August 2021, police announced that no charges would be brought against the 50-year-old.
They then said there was “insufficient evidence to reach the level where there is a realistic chance of a successful prosecution”.
September 2021
Stuart’s father, Terry, died at the age of 76 after a battle with terminal cancer.
“He thought about Stuart every waking hour, seven days a week,” a close friend told BBC News at the time.
“He’s died sad, knowing people never knew the truth about what happened,” he then added.
Essex Police vowed at the time that inquiries would continue.
Michael Barrymore: The Rise and Fall of Mr Saturday Night airs tonight (Saturday, June 29) at 9pm on Channel 5 and My5.
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