Drag star Heklina’s cause of death revealed following a three-year investigation
Heklina, a legend in the San Francisco LGBTQ+ and drag community, died in April 2023 at 54 years of age. (Getty Images)
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed the cause of San Francisco drag performer Heklina’s death, more than three years after their investigation began.
It’s reported that Heklina died from acute mixed drug toxicity, with the news renewing many drag performers’ and fans’ criticisms of what they say is “homophobia bias” in policing.
Heklina (real name Steven Grygelko) was found dead at a flat in Soho, London, on 3 April 2023, she was 55.
Her close friend and collaborator of 27 years, Peaches Christ, discovered her body.
At the time, Heklina was in London to perform Mommie Queerest with Peaches Christ at the Soho Theatre, with the pair staying in a flat in nearby Soho Square.
Toxicology reports found potentially fatal levels of GHB and methamphetamine in Heklina’s body, substances often associated with chemsex.
Further questions were raised after CCTV footage released nearly two years after her death showed three men leaving the flat on the night she died. The men have not been identified, and no charges have been brought.
Why the Met’s handling drew criticism
With the investigation ongoing for years, friends and fellow performers repeatedly pushed for answers.
Canadian-British drag artist Crystal, speaking in an exclusive interview with Attitude, said: “The whole thing is frustrating. From the failures in investigating, to the lack of transparency with next of kin, to the necessity of going to the media to get progress.”
She added: “The whole affair has been handled about as badly as you can imagine.”
In 2025, more than 100 people protested outside Scotland Yard over the force’s handling of the case, including Peaches Christ and Ana Matronic.
Crystal said of the protest: “I’d say it confirmed a lot of my suspicions about how bias shapes our institutions. The Casey Review found the Met to be institutionally homophobic, and these are the kinds of outcomes that such bias creates.”
Met admits failings as investigation is closed
The Casey Review, published in March 2023 by Baroness Casey, concluded the Met is riddled with “institutional racism, sexism, and homophobia”.
The Met has acknowledged failings in its investigation into Heklina’s death. An internal review by the force’s Directorate of Professional Standards found that two officers had mishandled the case, and that the investigation was passed between four different sets of detectives.
The investigation is now officially closed, ending a three-and-a-half-year period of unanswered questions.
