Detectives appeal for fresh information about the rape and murder of Stuart Lubbock

Nearly 19 years on from the death of Stuart Lubbock, Essex Police and the independent charity Crimestoppers have joined forces to offer a reward of up to £20,000 for information.

It is the first time any reward has been offered in connection with the case as Essex Police remains determined to secure justice for Stuart and his family.

The reward comes as Essex Police features in a major documentary on Channel 4, Barrymore: The Body in the Pool.

The programme, which airs on Thursday 6 February at 9pm on Channel 4, forensically pieces together the events of March 31 2001.

The force, who have appointed a new Senior Investigating Officer DCI Stephen Jennings to lead the investigation, took part in the programme as part of our continued commitment to find out the truth about what happened to Stuart and bring someone to justice for his rape and murder.

Stuart’s body was found in the swimming pool of the Roydon home of TV personality Michael Barrymore on 31 March 2001.

The 31-year-old had been attending a party at the property with eight other people.

Despite attempts to save him, he later died in hospital. A post-mortem examination found Stuart had suffered horrific anal injuries which experts believe were the result of a serious sexual assault that happened prior to Stuart’s death.

In the aftermath of the discovery of Stuart’s body some individuals left the property while others, who hadn’t been at the party, arrived and key items of possible forensic interest also disappeared from the house.

The cause of Stuart’s death remains unascertained and an inquest in 2002 recorded an open verdict.

Senior Investigating Officer DCI Stephen Jennings said: “For almost 19-years the rape and death of Stuart Lubbock has remained a mystery and his family, in particular his devoted father Terry, have longed for both answers and justice.

“I and Essex Police are determined to do all we can to give Terry those answers and to bring someone to justice for what happened to Stuart.

“That determination is evident from the fact that both Essex Police and the charity Crimestoppers are funding a reward of up to £20,000 in the hope that someone can give us the breakthrough that we need.

“Nine people went to the party at Michael Barrymore’s house, but only one of them – Stuart – ended up being violently sexually assaulted and murdered.

“We know not everyone at that party was responsible for what happened, but someone was. We also know that not everyone at that party may know what happened, but someone does.

“We want the people who do have information to come forward and talk to us – 19 years is a long time, loyalties change and it is never too late to do the right thing.

“Some people also arrived at the scene in the hours after Stuart’s death. They may also hold key information and we would like to hear from them.

“It is also possible that individuals at the party may have told other people what happened that night – if you know anything please come forward and speak anonymously to Crimestoppers.

“Crimestoppers charity allows people to give information 100 per cent anonymously.

“Please help us to help Stuart’s family finally get answers and justice.”

Mick Duthie, Director of Operations at the charity Crimestoppers, said:  “Many years have passed and it may be that you know who was responsible but have never spoken about what happened that night. You’ve sat on this information for 19 years. The family continue to grieve and this is your opportunity to help them understand what happened to Stuart by telling us what you know.

“Last year over half a million people trusted Crimestoppers with their information. Please, if you know what happened, contact our charity. We guarantee you will stay 100% anonymous. Always. Call our UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111 or use our anonymous online form on our website at Crimestoppers-uk.org”

Please note: The reward will only be available for information given to Crimestoppers and not the police. To be eligible for the reward, the information must lead to arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the rape and murder of Stuart Lubbock.

If you have information about Stuart’s rape and murder please contact Crimestoppers 100% anonymously and pass on what you know via their anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call their UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111.

Speaking about the involvement in the Channel 4 documentary DCI Jennings added: “This case has always been about the sexual assault and death of Stuart Lubbock. Whilst others may have lost sight of this fact, Essex Police never has.

“The Channel 4 documentary rightly focuses on the story of a young man, Stuart Lubbock, who went out clubbing with his brother and never returned home.

“We wanted to be part of an intelligent and sensitively-made programme that forensically pieces together the events of that night and what happened in the hope that it will help us in our quest for justice for Stuart and his family.”