Stuart Walker, the gay 28-year old Scottish murder victim who was beaten and burned, was definitely targeted, may have known his killer, and may also have been sexually assaulted, according to police in Cumnock in Ayrshire, Scotland. Walker, a barman and former assistant hotel manager was on his way to his grandmother’s 80th birthday party when he was killed. Walker’s murder has been described as “horrific,” “a very violent and sustained attack,” and now as possibly the worst anti-gay hate crime in U.K. history.
In the first reports of a post-mortem examination, Stuart Walker died not from his burns, but “he had died from other injuries, which are not being disclosed,” according to The Independent.
Pink Paper adds,
“As Walker’s body was found partially undressed, [Police Divisional Commander] Thomson said a sexual element to the crime had not been ruled out.
“The details were announced at a press conference in Kilmarnock police office, last night.
“It was revealed that Walker – a former assistant manager at the Royal Hotel in Cumnock – had almost certainly known those who killed him.
“Thomson said: ‘I don’t think it was a random attack by someone who will strike again. I suspect Stuart may have known this individual or met this individual shortly before his death’.”
The R.I.P. Stuart Walker Facebook page has over 10,000 fans.
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