Barrymore pool death a mystery after verdict

THE anguished family of a man found floating in British entertainer Michael Barrymore’s pool still do not know how he met his death.

At the end of a week-long inquest a coroner recorded an open verdict on 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock.

The meat factory worker, from Harlow, Essex, died after going to a party at the house of the 50-year-old Strike It Lucky host.

Post-mortem examinations revealed he had a combination of alcohol and drugs, including ecstasy and cocaine, in his system.

There was also evidence he may have suffered a serious sexual assault.

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray, recording her verdict, said what happened to Mr Lubbock prior to being found in the star’s swimming pool remained a mystery.

Referring to the evidence of brother and sister Kylie and Justin Merritt, Barrymore and his then partner, Jonathan Kenney, she said: “None of these witnesses who were party guests for three hours have given to this court an explanation about how Stuart Lubbock, a previously fit 31-year-old, should be found floating in a swimming pool at the premises with a significant level of alcohol and drugs in his system and have serious anal injuries.”

All the evidence heard “does not further or fully describe the means whereby the cause of death arose,” the Essex and Thurrock Coroner said.

After the verdict the senior investigating officer said there was no coherent and consistent account from those who were at the party but he hoped loyalties and friendships might change over time.

Mr Lubbock’s family said they had suffered “anguish” during the 18 months since he died.

They said they understood the open verdict but pointed out the police investigation was not closed.

Mr Barrymore was not present at the end of the inquest in Epping, Essex. His solicitor, David Corker, said his client remained shocked at the death but was in some ways relieved that the inquest had been so thorough.

Father-of-two Mr Lubbock was pronounced dead at the Princess Alexandra hospital, Harlow, at 8.25am on March 31 last year.

He had been found in the pool at Mr Barrymore’s luxury home on Beaumont Park Drive in the village of Roydon.

Two post-mortem examinations were carried out, the first the day he died, the second on behalf of the coroner in June. The findings were also examined by two other pathologists.

The inquest heard Mr Lubbock was the equivalent of about three times over the drink-drive limit with a reading of 223mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

There were also traces of ecstasy and cocaine in his body.

He was found to have severe internal injuries, which included bruising, lacerations and inflammation.

Experts said they may have been caused by a large, hard object and could have been the result of a serious sexual assault.

Mrs Beasley-Murray said all four pathologists were of the opinion that Mr Lubbock did not have the injuries when he left the Millennium nightclub in Harlow to go to Mr Barrymore’s house.

She said: “Statements were read from forensic scientists which showed that various small amounts of drugs were found on the premises and there was no scientific evidence that Stuart Lubbock had sexual relations prior to his death.”

Kylie Merritt told the inquest that Mr Barrymore, real name Michael Parker, offered cocaine to the guests.

She wept as she said: “I saw Michael Parker put some cocaine on his finger. He rubbed it on Stuart Lubbock’s gums.”

Asked whether that was done against his will, Miss Merritt replied: “Yes. Because he (Stuart) pulled away.”

James Futters, who lives near Mr Barrymore in Roydon, said the TV star offered him “white powder” on his finger soon after he arrived.

Mr Barrymore refused to answer questions at the inquest about the drug-taking allegations.

He denied rubbing cocaine into Mr Lubbock’s gums or giving him ecstasy.