Scotland Yard Probed Over Student's Death

0:00On March 23rd, Scotland Yard faces an independent probe over its handling of a 19-year-old student's death in a London hotel room. Edward Korns was found unresponsive in October 2021, just days after starting at University College London. He had high levels of alcohol, crystal meth, and the drug GHB in his system. Two men in their 50s were with him, but faced no charges after police ruled the case, non-suspicious. The men waited to call for help while moving his body and redressing him. A corner, later called it, drug-related. Reports highlight police mistakes like skipping witness interviews, losing CCTV footage, and misplacing blood samples. Edward's family from Barnett accused officers of homophobic remarks at the inquest, including labeling the straight-A student a drug dealer or rent. Boy, one officer reportedly said, all gay men take lots of drugs and anything can happen in man-on-man sex. The independent office for police conduct launched its investigation in March after the met police referred complaints from the family.

1:03Officials plan to work closely with relatives to shape the review and keep them updated. This comes amid past criticism of the met for institutional homophobia, like in the Stephen Port murders where similar drugs killed four young men. Edward's parents hope for real answers and a fresh look by an outside force to finally deliver justice.