New inquest for Grindr serial killer Stephen Port's victim Daniel Whitworth
06:00, 05 July 2019
updated: 07:48, 05 July 2019
A pre-inquest review into the death of four men murdered by gay serial killer Stephen Port is taking place at the Old Bailey today.
It comes just days before a documentary about the crimes of the so-called Grinder Killer is being broadcast on Sky TV.
Britain's Most Evil Killers will examine how he used gay social networks to trawl for victims, including Daniel Whitworth, from Gravesend, whose body had been dumped in a churchyard in Barking, Essex.
The 21-year-old, a chef and former Dartford Grammar School pupil, had been drugged and raped.
At an inquest in June 2015 it was ruled Mr Whitworth and 22-year-old Gabriel Kovari, who was found in the same spot a month before, died after overdosing on GHB and methadone.
However, that verdict was quashed in 2017 after their deaths were linked to those of 23-year-old Anthony Walgate the previous year and 25-year-old Jack Taylor, who died in September 2015.
A suicide note found in Mr Whitworth's possession was found to have be forged by Stephen Port - known as the Grindr killer because of the dating app he used to meet his victims - who was jailed for life in November 2016 for murdering the four men.
Now Her Honour Judge Sarah Munro QC has been appointed an assistant coroner for the East London coronial area and will sit as the coroner for the inquests into the deaths of the victims.
Today's hearing will examine, among other things, the scope of the inquest, what witnesses will need to be called, whether a jury will be appointed, and the location of the inquests.
Oliver Carlyon and Andrew O'Connor QC are acting as solicitor and counsel to the inquests.
Mr Whitworth's family earlier raised more than £12,000 to pay for top solicitors to oversee the proceedings and ensure they get answers.
- The programme will be broadcast at 9pm on Tuesday on Sky Witness channel 224.
