London: Gay couple found dead on building site

The bodies of a gay couple have been found in the foundations of a building site in central London.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Shortly before 2.30am on Saturday (19 October) morning police were called to reports of two men seen fighting in Hampstead Road.

“Two men have fallen down into the basement area of a building site. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Their deaths are being treated as unexplained.”

Police have named the men as Gavin Brewer, 32-year-old British Transport Officer, and his boyfriend Stuart Meads, a 34-year-old who worked on The Weakest Link. Their families both described the deaths as a “bizarre, tragic accident”.

London Ambulance Service said both were pronounced dead at the scene. The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the incident.

Mr Meads’s father Stephen, of Egham in Surrey, told the London Evening Standard: “Stuart was a wonderful son and is a huge loss to our family. We are in shock. It is a very difficult time.”

Asked if his family might take legal action against the building site firm, Monavon Construction Ltd, he said: “It is not really in our thoughts.”

The couple had been drinking last Friday night at the Black Cap in Camden. Stephen Baker, a friend of Mr Meads, said police had told his family the deaths were a “freak accident”.

Mr Baker added: “There is no question of attributing blame to them. It was just a freak accident that could have happened at 2 in the afternoon.”

British Transport Police said: “We can confirm that serving officer PC Gavin Brewer died whilst off duty early on Saturday, 19 October morning on Hampstead Road.

“PC Brewer was based at Finsbury Park station and had been with the force for nine years. BTP officers and staff are continuing to support his family and friends through this very difficult time.”

• Dec 31 2024

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