Has another young gay man been sacrificed and martyred on the altar of homophobic hate, in a ritual slaying that mirrors the death of Matthew Shephard in the US? Too early to tell, but the suspicion must remain high that his horrific death by burning is linked to his sexuality. The case is already being referred to as "The Lamp Post Murder," since he was tied to a lamp post, beaten, and then set on fire. Clearly this is more than a simple murder, but a calculated slaying designed to make a point. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
From The Daily Record UK
Family of 'gay slaying' lamppost murder victim Stuart Walker tell of shock at his brutal death
Oct 24 2011
David Taylor
A Gran had her 80th birthday party - unaware her grandson had been murdered and set alight while tied to a lamppost.
Stuart Walker's family only heard of his horrific death after Margaret McMeekin's party.
The barman's beaten and scorched body had been found at an
industrial estate on the outskirts of his home town, Cumnock in
Ayrshire.
Last night, the 28-year-old's cousin John Mullen spoke of the family's heartbreak.
John said: "We knew something was wrong because he was really close to his gran and wouldn't have missed her party for anything.
"He was close to everyone who knew him. He was everyone's best pal.
"Stuart was the best guy ever. Everyone knew Stuart - he was one of the best known boys in Cumnock and the surrounding area.
"If you were to walk down the street, no one would have a bad word
to say about him." Police last night said Stuart, who was gay, may have
been targeted after a house party in the town where he spent most of his
life.
They were trying to piece together his final hours.
He is believed to have gone to a party in the town's Netherthird
housing estate in the early hours of Saturday after a night out with
pals.
Stuart's friends last saw him alive near the fire station in
Glaisnock Street at about 2.30am. His scorched and beaten body was found
tied to a lamppost just before 5am on the Caponacre industrial estate
on the outskirts of town.
Detective Inspector John Hogg, of Ayr CID, said yesterday: "It is
imperative that we find out where he was between 2.30am and 4.50am, who
he was with and why this happened to him.
"We understand that there may have been a number of house parties in
the nearby Netherthird housing estate in the early hours of the morning
- between 2am and 3am.
"At this time we do not know if these parties are linked to our
investigation or not, so again, any information on that is important.
Officers are checking CCTV and carrying out door-todoor inquiries in the
area and we would encourage anyone with information to approach them or
to call."
Yesterday, flowers were laid near the murder scene. One left by his
gran read: "Miss + Love you always our dear grandson. Sleep tight, Gran
and Papa."
Another said: "There are so many words going through my mind at the
moment. One is Why. Why our Stuart? The whole family has been ripped
apart.
"Life will never be the same again - or any party! We are all so devastated and heartbroken.
Lov n miss you so much, from Keri, Ryan and kids. XXXX."
Stuart's cousin John said he had been "the kind of guy that everyone who met him loved".
John added: "He was the life and soul of the party. He loved music and clubbing.
"Whoever has done this has ripped our family apart and broke everyone's heart.
"If anyone knows what happened, we would plead with them to come forward."
Stuart started work in the First Edition bar, in Kilmarnock, days
before his murder. Manager Gareth Alberts, 25, said: "He gave the whole
place a real buzz."
Here is the Guardian's muted coverage of the story. The only hint that Stuart was gay was the mention that "Officers are not ruling out the possibility that the attack was motivated by homophobia."
And the Telegraph's more explicit coverage.
Here is the Guardian's muted coverage of the story. The only hint that Stuart was gay was the mention that "Officers are not ruling out the possibility that the attack was motivated by homophobia."
And the Telegraph's more explicit coverage.
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