Barrymore swim pool killing: New reward of £20,000
New murder probe offers £20,000 reward
POLICE probing the death of Stuart Lubbock during a party at the home of Michael Barrymore have offered a £20,000 reward to find the killer.
Det Chief Insp Stephen Jennings said: “One or more of the eight people at this party are responsible for Stuart’s death.”
Dad-of-two Stuart was found dead in TV star Barrymore’s swimming pool on March 31, 2001. Tests later showed that he had suffered severe internal injuries.
The eight people at the party were Barrymore, the star’s then boyfriend Jonathan Kenney, friend Justin Merritt and his sister Kylie, guests Claire Jones and Kelly Campbell and locals Simon Shaw and James Futers.
Mr Jenningsp has launched a fresh murder probe. He said:
“We know not everyone at that party was responsible for what happened, but someone was.”
Barrymore, 67, and two other men were arrested on suspicion of the rape and murder of
Stuart in 2007. The comedian won a legal action against the police for wrongful arrest in 2018.
The actual cause of his death was never established, with an open verdict returned at an inquest held in 2002.
During an extraordinary briefing yesterday evening at Essex Police HQ, Mr Jennings told how crucial evidence was removed from the crime scene. Forensic pictures taken when police arrived show a pool thermometer hanging from a jacuzzi at Barrymore’s home.
But by the next morning, when a video was made of the scene, it had disappeared. The handle of an outhouse cupboard near the jacuzzi is also missing. Mr Jennings added: “These items could have been used in the assault.” Stuart’s father Terry Lubbock, 75, sat side by side with Mr Jennings at yesterday’s press conference. He believes the Crimestoppers reward could see the case solved. Terry told Barrymore: “It’s time now for you to either clear your name or put your hands up.”
It’s time now for you to either clear your name or put your hands up.
TERRY LUBBOCK FATHER OF STUART, WHO DIED IN 2001