Protests in London and San Francisco Demand Justice for Drag Icon Heklina

Two years after Heklina's death in London, activists accuse the Metropolitan Police of bias and mishandling the case, calling for accountability and systemic reform.

• Heklina, a celebrated San Francisco drag performer, was found dead on April 3, 2023, in a London flat, with no official cause of death announced despite reports of a lethal amount of drugs in her system.
• In January 2025, the Metropolitan Police released CCTV footage showing three men leaving the flat, marking the first major development in the case after nearly two years of little progress.
• Protests led by Peaches Christ, Heklina's friend and fellow drag artist, were held in London and San Francisco on March 31, 2025, demanding justice and highlighting allegations of homophobic bias in the investigation.
• Activists and LGBTQ+ leaders have criticized the Metropolitan Police for delays and shortcomings in the case, linking it to broader systemic issues of institutional homophobia outlined in the Casey Review.
• The Metropolitan Police have apologized for their handling of the investigation and initiated a review, but calls for transparency, reform, and updates on the case remain urgent.

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