Police officer ‘strangled and dismembered’ by man he met on Grindr
A man has been accused of allegedly strangling and dismembering a police officer he met on a gay dating app.
Stefano Brizzi has been charged with the murder of 59-year-old officer Gordon Semple after the pair met on Grindr.
The 49-year-old man, originally from Italy, appeared at the Old Bailey earlier today, after the remains of Mr Semple were discovered last week.
The prosecution alleges Brizzi dismembered Mr Semple’s body and disposed of it in communal waste bins on the Peabody Estate in Southwark Street, south London.
PC Semple’s remains were found after a neighbour reported a “smell of death” coming from Brizzi’s flat.
The police officer went missing on April 1 after being last seen close to London Bridge.
His partner, Gary Meeks, reported him missing later that day.
Originally from Inverness, PC Semple worked at Bank of Scotland before joining the force, where he had worked for 30 years.
“I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts during the past dreadful week,” his brother, Ronnie Semple, wrote on Facebook.
“It has been a terrible time for us all, especially Gary.
“Gordon will be sadly missed by all of his immediate family, his colleagues in the Met Police, former Bank of Scotland colleagues in Inverness and London, friends from his Tartan Army Days, but most of all the hardest loss is for Gary at this time.”
Following the discovery, police appealed for a witness who may have visited the suspect’s flat on the day of the murder.
“He was there for only one minute, and did not go inside, but it is incredibly important that we speak to him,” a statement read.
“If you are that man please come forward and call us on 020 8721 4961. I will treat what you tell me with sensitivity and confidentiality, please get in touch with us I need to talk to you.”
A provisional trial date has been set for October 18. Brizzi will be remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on April 20.
