Dad of man found dead in Michael Barrymore’s pool reveals he’s dying of cancer and wants new inquest in final months
THE dad of the man found dead in Michael Barrymore’s swimming pool has revealed he has terminal cancer as he fights for a new inquest into his son's death.
Terry Lubbock, whose 31-year-old son Stuart was found following a party at the star’s Essex home, continues to battle for a new inquest - despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Mr Lubbock told : “It’s a killer and I’m only going to be around for a few months.
"They can’t do anything about it, they say it has spread too far around my body.”
Terry, 76, who has previously suffered a number of strokes, was speaking ahead of the twentieth anniversary of his son’s death next month.
He believes a new inquest would allow the full details of how his son died to be made public for the first time, The Mirror reports.
Terry told the paper: “Then I can rest in peace. We have got to get another inquest, then I will feel as though my job has been done.”
On getting answers for his son, he added: “I’ve given it my best shot, it’s taken me twenty years to start to get some kind of justice. I think it’s going to come.”
The pensioner said he was diagnosed with cancer at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex, after falling last month at his nearby care home.
He said: “They keep an eye on me and see me every three months. The last time I went they gave me the all clear but the day after I fell over.
“I was okay that night but in the morning I felt terrible and they took me to hospital and gave me a full check up and that’s when they found the cancer.
“They found it had moved on from the prostate.”
Asked if he would be undergoing any treatment, Mr Lubbock said: “They said it wouldn’t be worth doing because it had gone too far. But I feel good and that’s the way I want to go.
“I was supposed to see the doctors in a couple of months time but they cancelled it, saying it would now be a waste of time.”
Entertainer Michael Barrymore was one of the UK's most popular TV presenters when the body of partygoer Stuart Lubbock was found in his swimming pool on March 31, 2001.
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.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Jennings
The case of Stuart's death remains undetermined and an inquest in 2002 recorded an open verdict.
Stuart, a factory supervisor and dad-of-two from Harlow, was just 31 when he died.
A post-mortem examination revealed he had taken a cocktail of drugs at the party including cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamine, and he also had alcohol in his system.
The 31-year-old also suffered severe internal injuries that suggested he was sexually assaulted.
Barrymore and two other men were later arrested but no one has been charged over Stuart's death.
The entertainer has continuously denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Essex Police launched a fresh investigation last year, which coincided with the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary, Barrymore:The Body In The Pool.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Jennings said that officers had been wrong to assume it was an accidental drowning and not to secure the scene.
He said: “I believe that [Stuart] was raped and murdered that night.
“One or more of those party-goers are responsible for that serious sexual assault on Stuart Lubbock.”
Terry says he would like police to tell an inquest jury why they believe that.
'SOMEONE WAS RESPONSIBLE'
He said of the investigation: “It’s a load of rubbish. They keep telling me they are going to do something but I don’t trust them.”
Barrymore read a statement on Twitter ahead of the programme saying: “I’ve always done everything anyone has asked of me. I’ve co-operated with everyone.
“Essex Police’s own QC has said that ‘we know Mr Barrymore has had nothing to do with this and that there is no evidence linking him with the injuries to Mr Lubbock or the pool’.”
“I’ve had nothing to do with this whatsoever and yet I keep getting bashed and bullied by the media.”
He was arrested in 2007 in connection with the death but was later released without charge and his arrest found to be unlawful.
Mr Jennings said yesterday: “We remain committed to this investigation and continue to appeal for information leading to arrest and conviction in relation to the rape and murder of Stuart Lubbock.
“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.
Most read in News
“We want the people who do have information to come forward and talk to us - it is never too late to do the right thing and give the Lubbock family the answers and justice they have waited so long to have.”
Read More on The Sun
Essex Police say the investigation continues.
Anyone with information can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 or call Essex Police on 101.
