A detective has insisted that the death of Stuart Lubbock in TV star Michael Barrymore's pool 18 years ago was murder. Mr Lubbock, a factory supervisor, was found floating face-down in Barrymore's swimming pool after being invited over for a party in 2001. He had injuries which suggested he had been sexually assaulted but his death has never been fully solved.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Jennings, the first new investigator assigned to the case in 13 years, told The Daily Star that Mr Lubbock was 'raped and murdered'. He is to make an appeal for witnesses and two key pieces of missing evidence: a pool thermometer and a door handle. The Independent Police Complaints Commission found these items went missing, and Jennings criticised the initial scene security, saying people were allowed back in and items have now gone missing.
No one has ever been charged with Mr Lubbock's murder. A post-mortem examination found he had suffered 'severe internal injuries indicating sexual assault'. The coroner recorded an open verdict in 2002. Barrymore was arrested on suspicion of murder and sexual assault in 2007 but released without charge due to insufficient evidence. He later sued Essex Police for £2.4 million, claiming his arrest damaged his career.
