The Metropolitan Police has released an appeal for information in relation to the death of American drag legend Heklina, also known as Steven Grygelko. The development comes almost two years after the performer was found dead in a residential property in London’s Soho Square on April 3, 2023.

Detectives have issued footage of three people who they are asking to come forward to aid the investigation. 

“Our thoughts are with Steven’s family and friends who still have a lot of unanswered questions about what happened to him,” Detective Chief Inspector Dean Purvis, from the Central West Command Unit, said.

“We know that the three men in the CCTV images were at the flat in the early hours of 3 April 2023. I am asking them to contact police. We need to establish what happened, and how Steven was when they left.

“If you recognise any of the men, I would encourage you to let us know who they are,” Purvis’ statement concludes.

Heklina’s body was found by fellow performer Peaches Christ, who she was touring with at the time. The pair were working on their show Mommie Queerest, a parody of the 1981 cult film Mommie Dearest, which was slated for a two-week run in the Soho Theatre from April 12 to 29.

At the time, Peaches described the incident as “a real-life nightmare”, adding “Heklina is not just my best friend, but a beloved icon of our community.”

Born in Minneapolis in 1967, Steven Grygelko was raised in New York, England and Iceland, before moving to San Francisco. There, he established a career as Heklina, becoming a fixture of the city’s drag community and hosting a popular weekly series known as Mother.

Throughout the years, she emceed and performed at events across San Francisco and beyond, and in 2015, the trailblazer co-opened Oasis, a dedicated drag venue.

At the time of her death, she was remembered by many well-known figures within the community, including Drag Race winners Bianca Del Rio, Trixie Mattel, Jinkx Monsoon and Shea Couleé.

“Heklina was punk rock and made drag what it is today. Legend,” Trixie wrote.

Couleé described her as “so incredibly kind and warm,” adding: “She made me feel like family anytime I came to Oasis.”

The Met Police is asking anyone with information in connection to Heklina’s death to call 101 quoting CAD1824/03Apr23.