Photos: Protesters march in London demanding ‘Justice for Heklina’
Mar 31, 2025
(KRON) -- Protesters took to the streets in London on Monday, demanding "Justice for Heklina," a San Francisco drag performer who died mysteriously in the British capitol almost two years ago. The rally was organized by Heklina's friend, fellow drag performer Peaches Christ, the alter ego of filmmak
er Joshua Grannell.
At the time of her death, Grannell was with Heklina in London, where the two were starring in the drag parody, "Mommy Queerest." Heklina, whose legal name was Stefan Grygelko, was found dead by Grannell in the London flat they were sharing on April 3, 2023.
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Prior to Heklina's death, Grannell left the flat to stay at a hotel so Heklina could reportedly arrange a sexual encounter. He returned back to the flat to find her deceased. She was dressed in full drag when he found her, he told the San Francisco Chronicle.
No official cause of death has ever been issued for Heklina. However, officers with the London Metropolitan Police were in San Francisco earlier this month and have said they believe drugs were involved.
Grannell and other friends of Heklina's are protesting what they've labelled as a lack of transparency from police in London. Grannell has previously said he didn't believe police took Heklina's death seriously until they learned of her large fanbase.
Surveillance footage has since been released showing three men leaving Heklina's London apartment the night she was found dead.
Another march demanding justice for Heklina is due to take place in San Francisco Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. on Folsom Street.
Heklina, who was 55 at the time of her death, was considered an iconic figure in the San Francisco drag scene. She was one of the founders of the long-running "Trannyshack" night at the Stud bar and performed internationally. ...read more read less