TL;DR
- Met Police reopens Ed Cornes’s case.
- Family criticizes past investigation failings.
- Allegations of homophobia in handling.
- Cornes was found dead in 2021.
- Police apologize for distress caused.
In a move that many are calling a long-overdue acknowledgment, the Metropolitan Police has reopened the investigation into the tragic death of 19-year-old Ed Cornes. This comes after a series of criticisms regarding the original inquiry, which Cornes’s family claims was riddled with homophobic assumptions and significant oversights. The police have issued a formal apology to the family, stating that the handling of the case did not meet the high standards they are supposed to uphold.
Ed Cornes, a bright University College London student, was found dead in October 2021, just two days after he began his first term at university. His body was discovered in a hotel basement room in King’s Cross, a mere five minutes from his residence. The circumstances surrounding his death raised numerous questions, especially after it was revealed that he had left his halls of residence early in the morning to meet a man he had never met before.
The inquest revealed that Cornes had suffered 36 cuts and other injuries, with toxicology reports showing high levels of GHB in his system. Initially, two men were arrested on suspicion of murder but were released without charges, leaving the family and the community in shock and outrage.
Speaking to ITV News, Cornes’s mother, Miriam Blythe, described the police’s recent actions as “shallow” and “too little too late.” She expressed her frustration, stating, “It’s been a horrible, devastating struggle where I always knew I was right, and had multiple police officers telling me I was wrong.” The emotional toll on the family has been immense, and Blythe’s words resonate with anyone who has faced injustice.
One of the most disturbing allegations made by the family is that the police’s investigation was marred by homophobic assumptions. Blythe recounted a particularly insensitive comment made by an officer: “With man-on-man sex, anything can happen.” The Met Police has since acknowledged this comment, apologizing for the distress it caused the family.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said, “We apologize for the pain caused to Edward’s family through the handling of our investigation. We acknowledge that aspects of the initial investigation were not handled correctly and did not meet the high standards we expect.” They have promised to review the original investigation and are currently appealing for anyone with further information to come forward.
As the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) continues its investigation into the Met’s handling of the case, many are left wondering if true justice will ever be served for Ed Cornes. His family remains hopeful that the reopening of the investigation will lead to answers and accountability, but the scars of this tragedy will undoubtedly linger.
In a world where LGBTQ+ lives are still often treated as less than, the Cornes family’s battle for justice serves as a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done. As they continue to seek answers, we stand with them in solidarity, demanding justice and a thorough investigation that honors Ed’s memory.