Brother Calls for Modern DNA Analysis in Unsolved Barrymore Pool Death
On the eve of the 25th anniversary of Stuart Lubbock's death, his brother Kevin has made a direct appeal to police for new forensic testing in the long-running investigation. Stuart Lubbock, a 31-year-old father of two, was found dead in the swimming pool at television entertainer Michael Barrymore's Essex home during a party in March 2001.
A Night of Party and Tragedy
The fateful evening began at the Millennium nightclub in Harlow, Essex, where Barrymore, then one of Britain's highest-paid television stars, was socializing with his then-partner Jonathan Kenney. According to reports, Barrymore invited seven local people, including Stuart Lubbock whom he had never previously met, back to his Roydon home for an after-hours gathering.
Alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine were reportedly consumed at the property. At 5:48 am, emergency services received a 999 call reporting a man found in the swimming pool. The caller was Justin Merritt, who would later be among three men arrested in connection with the investigation.
Conflicting Accounts and Unanswered Questions
The 2002 inquest heard conflicting testimonies about the events leading to Stuart's death. Justin Merritt stated he had been in a hot tub with Jonathan Kenney while Stuart was "dive bombing" in the pool. Kenney, a former drag queen, told the inquest that when he and Merritt left the hot tub to go upstairs, Stuart was still frolicking in the water.
Other party attendees included Kylie Merritt, who tearfully testified that Barrymore had offered cocaine to guests—a claim the entertainer denied. Claire Jones, then just 17, attended with friend Kelly Campbell after meeting Barrymore at the nightclub. Neighbors James Futers and Simon Shaw, who were familiar with the star, also joined the gathering.
Medical Mysteries and Investigation Failures
The medical evidence presented significant challenges. Four pathologists could not reach consensus on the exact cause of death. Dr. Michael Heath's initial postmortem concluded Stuart had drowned after sustaining severe anal injuries consistent with a serious sexual assault. Subsequent examinations revealed facial marks suggestive of potential asphyxiation.
Dr. Ian Calder proposed "asphyxia due to physical obstruction of the airway" as a possible cause, while Dr. Jack Crane maintained the injuries indicated "a serious sexual assault." Notably, Dr. Heath later stepped down from his position after a tribunal criticized his conclusions in two unrelated cases.
Initial police response was criticized for not treating the house as a crime scene, accepting the explanation that Stuart had drowned after consuming alcohol and drugs. Only after the postmortem revealed severe internal injuries was a murder investigation launched. The police watchdog later found that potentially crucial evidence—including a swimming pool thermometer and a door handle—was never collected and has since disappeared.
Forensic Evidence and Legal Proceedings
A total of 98 items were eventually sent for forensic examination, including Stuart's boxer shorts, a bloodstained towel and bathrobe found beside the pool, along with hairs, fibres, swabs, clothing, glasses, bottles, and various household items. The Independent Police Complaints Commission supported a complaint from Stuart's father Terry in 2007 regarding the failure to test blood on key items.
In June 2001, Jonathan Kenney and Justin Merritt were arrested on suspicion of murder but released without charge. Barrymore received a caution for cannabis possession. A September 2002 inquest returned an open verdict. All three men were arrested again in 2007 on suspicion of murder and rape but were again released without charge, with all denying any involvement. An unnamed man in his 50s was arrested in 2021 but also released without charge.
Family's Ongoing Quest for Answers
Stuart's father Terry passed away in 2021 at age 76, just weeks after the most recent arrest, without learning what happened to his son. A month before his death, he told the Mirror: "I know somebody at that party inflicted those injuries on my Stuart."
Now, Kevin Lubbock, 55, is taking up the mantle, calling specifically for new DNA testing methods that have developed significantly over the past quarter century. "I hope that new DNA methods will provide the truth of how Stuart got those injuries," Kevin told the Daily Mirror. "The science has come a long way in 25 years so all of the key evidence should be retested."
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
When contacted about Kevin Lubbock's request for a full forensic reinvestigation, an Essex Police spokesperson stated: "We have never given up on finding out exactly what happened to Stuart, and we will continue to act on any new information to assist us in our pursuit of justice for him and for his family and friends."
The spokesperson added: "As we have said repeatedly over the last two decades, nine people were at that party. We know that not everyone was responsible for what happened, but someone was. Anyone with information about Stuart's death can always contact us, whether directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers. What we can say is that full reviews are conducted periodically as per force policy."
Michael Barrymore, now 74, has recently attracted a new generation of fans through TikTok videos that have garnered millions of views, but the mystery surrounding that night in 2001 continues to cast a shadow over his legacy and haunt the Lubbock family.
