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Inquests into deaths of four victims of East London serial killer to examine whether police investigative failings or prejudice contributed to their deaths

The inquests into the deaths of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor, the four men aged between 21 and 25 years old who were murdered by serial killer Stephen Port between 2014 and 2015, start hearing evidence on 5 October 2021 at Barking Town Hall.

The victims’ families are represented by Henrietta Hill QC and Tom Stoate, instructed by Neil Hudgell and Victoria Richardson of Hudgell Solicitors.

Stephen Port was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment serving a whole life order in November 2016 at the Old Bailey for the four murders. HHJ Sarah Munro QC, sitting as an Assistant Coroner for the East London coronial area, will hear initially pen portraits about each of the four victims. The inquests, which are being heard together, will then examine whether any failings in the police investigation contributed to the young men’s deaths; and whether any prejudice or homophobia played a part in how police initially responded to them.

Neil Hudgell said:

“It has been seven years and three months since Anthony Walgate was murdered; seven years and one month since Gabriel Kovari was murdered; just over seven years since Daniel Whitworth was murdered; and just over six years since Jack Taylor was murdered.

“Their families have felt every single day of their absence. They have waited with great patience and conducted themselves with real dignity; yet they have always wondered about whether there would have been a different outcome if the police had investigated Port properly, taken their concerns seriously, and their boys hadn’t been gay. For them, the inquests mark a key point in their quest for justice and accountability about the role the Metropolitan Police played in the loss of these four young boys.”

Further details about the inquests can be found on the inquests website.