Michael Barrymore pool death – who was at the Roydon house when Stuart Lubbock died?
ON a fateful night 19 years ago, nine people partied at TV star Michael Barrymore’s Essex mansion.
Shockingly, one of them – Stuart Lubbock – ended up being violently sexually assaulted and murdered, say cops. So who was at the event, before it ended in tragedy for the dad-of-two?
Who was at Michael Barrymore's Roydon house when Stuart Lubbock died?
Entertainer Michael Barrymore was one of the UK's best-known TV presenters when the body of partygoer Stuart Lubbock was found at his then mansion in Roydon, Essex, on March 31, 2001.
The cause of Stuart’s death remains undetermined and an inquest in 2002 recorded an open verdict.
The cold case has been thrown back into the spotlight as a result of new Channel 4 documentary, Barrymore: The Body In The Pool.
Speaking ahead of tonight's (Feb 6) airing of the show, Essex Police - who were interviewed for it - said that Stuart had been attending the party with eight other people.
These were Michael himself, along with his then-lover Jonathan Kenney, and dustman Justin Merritt.
Other guests were Justin’s sister Kylie and chef James Futers, plus hangers-on Simon Shaw, Claire Jones, then 17, and Kelly Campbell.
Here's what we know about the other seven guests who were at the house with Stuart and Michael.
Jonathan Kenney
Michael Barrymore’s ex-lover Jonathan Kenney told mates, “we all had a really good time” at the party.
Coach driver Jonathan Kenney, 49, a former drag queen of Blackpool, still discusses being Barrymore’s former lover despite now being married to someone else.
A pal said that when asked about the night of 31-year-old Stuart’s death at Barrymore’s mansion in 2001, Jonathan gives a stock answer.
The mate said: “He always says the same thing — ‘we all had a really good time’. But I have no idea what he means.”
Justin Merritt
Michael, Jonathan, and dustman Justin Merritt were all previously arrested over the divorced dad's death before being released without charge.
According to witness statements, they had been outside in a hot tub with Stuart, who was high on drink and drugs.
All three re-entered the house when police were called to reports of a drowning in the swimming pool, witnesses said.
Kylie Merritt
Justin's sister was at a nightclub with her sibling when they both shared a taxi with Michael to his property to attend the star's party.
At the inquest in to Stuart's death in 2002, a weeping Kylie alleged that the star had offered guests cocaine - which he denied - according to a report at the time.
The said Kylie told Epping Coroner's Court in 2002 that a laughing Stuart had been in the spa pool, before climbing out and leaping into the star's nearby swimming pool, despite being inebriated.
James Futers
Michael's neighbour James Futers, a chef, knew the star as they'd met to "play cards" and enjoy a drink on previous occasions, says the Mail.
He was also at the Millennium nightclub in Harlow prior to the party.
Simon Shaw
As a pal of Michael, Simon Shaw joined fellow Roydon villager James Futers at the party.
Michael claimed that he showed Simon and James his new house extension.
The comic said: “The last time I saw Stuart was when he was walking towards the jacuzzi. A couple of girls and a couple of lads went there.”
According to Michael, it was on the way to the spa pool with Simon and James that he saw Stuart at the bottom of the pool, face up, illuminated by the lights.
Simon told the court that upon seeing Stuart in the pool, he had leaped in to try and save him.
Kelly Campbell and Claire Jones
Party guest Claire Jones, then 17 years old, told police she saw Michael rummaging through drawers and changing his clothes before police arrived, according to the Mail.
Yet Michael wrote in his autobiography Awight Now: "The truth is there is no witness, or forensic evidence... which in any way supports the theory that he was attacked at my house."
Claire attended the party with pal Kelly Campbell, after bumping in to Michael at the Millennium nightclub, and he'd invited them to join him.
What happened in Barrymore's pool?
The force said in February 2020 that, "despite attempts to save him [Stuart], he later died in hospital".
They added: "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."
Senior Investigating Officer DCI Stephen Jennings added that while Stuart's death has "remained a mystery," after 19 years, cops are "determined" to get answers and justice for his family.
To this day, no one has ever been charged in relation to the Harlow man's death, and Michael has maintained it was accidental.
The DCI said that after Stuart's body was found, "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.
“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.
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“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.”
A substantial reward has been offered for information on the case.
Stuart's dad Terry Lubbock said the money will "to the truth" and thanked The Sun for the pledge of £20,000.
Michael, 67, and the others have always denied involvement, saying drunk and high Stuart drowned accidentally at the ex-Strike It Lucky host’s then home.
- ANYONE with information about Stuart’s death can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.