Met confirms drag star Heklina's cause of death after years of pressure from drag community 

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that legendary San Francisco drag performer Heklina died as a result of acute mixed drug toxicity, bringing an end to a more than three-year investigation into her death. 

Heklina, whose real name was Steven Grygelko, was found dead at a flat in Soho, central London, on 3 April 2023 while in the UK to perform the drag parody show Mommie Queerest alongside longtime friend and collaborator Peaches Christ. She was 55 years old. 

At a hearing in London this week, police concluded that the performer died from acute mixed drug toxicity. Investigators said cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, GHB and ketamine were found in her system and determined that the substances had been consumed consensually over a 48-hour period. 

The Met said it had "found no evidence to suggest third-party involvement or that the death was suspicious", despite longstanding questions surrounding the circumstances of her death. 

The case attracted significant attention within the LGBTQ+ community after it emerged that three men had been present at the flat on the night before Heklina's death. CCTV footage showing the men leaving the property was released nearly two years later, prompting criticism from friends and supporters who argued that the investigation had not been handled with sufficient urgency. No charges have been brought and the men have not been publicly identified. 

Friends of the performer, including Peaches Christ, repeatedly called for greater transparency from the Metropolitan Police and questioned whether homophobic bias had contributed to delays in the investigation. In 2025, more than 100 people took part in a protest outside New Scotland Yard demanding answers about the handling of the case. 

Metropolitan Police apologises over investigation into the death of American drag artist Heklina

The Metropolitan Police has apologised over its investigation into the death of American drag artist Steven Grygelko, aka Heklina, who was found dead at a flat in Soho, London, by their friend Josh…

Scene MagazineGraham Robson

The force has since acknowledged failings in the investigation. According to reports, an internal review found that aspects of the case had been mishandled and that the investigation had passed through multiple teams of detectives during the three-and-a-half-year inquiry. 

A pioneering figure in American drag culture, Heklina was widely credited with helping to shape San Francisco's modern drag scene. She founded the influential drag club night Trannyshack, later rebranded as Mother, and co-founded Oasis, one of the city's best-known LGBTQ+ venues. She was also a regular performer, producer and community activist. 

News of her death in 2023 prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the international drag community, with fellow performers praising her role in supporting generations of LGBTQ+ artists and helping to build queer cultural spaces.