The murderer who killed PC Gordon Semple died in February 2017. Today the coroner said that Stephano Brizzi died by hanging.
Stefano Brizzi, a convicted killer, was found dead at the prison where he was jailed for the murder of Gordon Semple, just months into the 24-year sentence.
Brizzi murdered Mr Semple last year. He ate part of Semple’s body and tried to dispose of the rest of his remains in acid.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed Brizzi had died in his cell in HMP Belmarsh.
Found Noose In Cell
A court heard that Brizzi had made a noose before he died and a note had been discovered “indicating he was thinking about death”. When the noose was found Brizzi said that he had created it out of boredom.
The killer had been taken off suicide watch a month before his death.
The coroner showed that a post-mortem had delivered the cause of death as hanging and found “no features of significant natural disease that prevented [Brizzi] from tying knots”. It also indicated there were “no other significant injuries to imply being recently involved in an altercation”.
The coroner also said there were “no other significant injuries to imply being recently involved in an altercation”.
The murderer of PC Gordon Semple, Stefano Brizzi has been found dead in HMP Belmarsh
Convicted killer Stefano Brizzi has been found dead at the prison where he was jailed for the murder of Gordon Semple, He was just months into the 24-year sentence.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed Brizzi had died in HMP Belmarsh. They have not released the reason for his death. The Daily Mail is suggesting that he is thought to have taken his own life.
Brizzi was found guilty of murder on Monday, 14 November. Brizzi, who was 50 at the time, went to great lengths to dispose of 59-year-old Gordon Semple, by dismembering him and getting rid of him in a manner which “amounts to cannibalism”.
The description of the death and the disposal of his body were so traumatic, the family of Gordon did not attend the hearing.
Police investigating Semple’s death also revealed that they found “a number of bottles of chemicals scattered over the hallway floor and in the bathroom,” when they arrived at Brizzi’s address.
On Friday, 1 April, Gordon Semple, who dedicated 30 years of his working life to the police, was on duty and had been at a meeting in London Bridge. Phone evidence has shown that at just after 14:00hrs that day he used the dating app Grindr to arrange to meet Brizzi for sex at his south London flat. That afternoon, Brizzi strangled Gordon Semple to death and over the following week set about systematically disposing of his body in a bid to either avoid being caught or ensuring that Gordon could never be identified.
2016 has been a year that will go down in history as one of the most seismic of all time. From the election of Donald Trump to the UK voting to leave the EU, from the Pulse nightclub massacre to the continued persecution of gay men by ISIS.
There have been many stories that have and will continue to impact the gay community for decades to come. Here’s are just some of the top stories from the past 12 months.
January
David Bowie dies. The year starts with the unexpected death of David Bowie. 2016 would go down as one of the most shocking years for celebrity deaths.
Milo Yiannopoulos is unverified by Twitter. The controversial right-wing commentator is unverified by Twitter. He would later be kicked off the platform altogether in a move many praised but other criticised Twitter for kerbing freedom of speech.
ISIS executes 15-year-old boy. He was murdered for an alleged affair with an ISIS officer. The officer was spared the death sentence.
British LGBT Awards gets a bashing on Twitter. The motives behind the awards were questioned by some after a number of “strange” choices for nominees were revealed including YouTuber Zoella, and Zayn for being allies.
Convicted killer Stefano Brizzi has been sentenced to 24 years jail time for the murder of a gay serving police officer.
Stefano Brizzi has been handed a 24-year jail term for the murder of a serving police officer, Gordon Semple. The jail term means he will be at least 74 before he can apply for parole. He was also served with a seven years’ imprisonment for obstructing a coroner from holding an inquest, for which this sentence will run concurrently.
Brizzi was found guilty of murder at the same court on Monday, 14 November, but pleaded guilty to obstructing a coroner on Thursday, 20 October – the first day of his trial.
Brizzi, 50, went to great lengths to dispose of 59-year-old Gordon Semple, by dismembering him and getting rid of him in a manner which “amounts to cannibalism”. Police investigating Semple’s death also revealed that they found “a number of bottles of chemicals scattered over the hallway floor and in the bathroom,” when they arrived at Brizzi’s address.
CREDIT: Metropolitan Police
On Friday, 1 April, Gordon Semple, who dedicated 30 years of his working life to the police, was on duty and had been at a meeting in London Bridge. Phone evidence has shown that at just after 14:00hrs that day he used the dating app Grindr to arrange to meet Brizzi for sex at his south London flat. That afternoon, Brizzi strangled Gordon Semple to death and over the following week set about systematically disposing of his body in a bid to either avoid being caught or ensuring that Gordon could never be identified.
Police arrived at Brizzi’s address six days later on Thursday, 7 April, after neighbours called them and the London Ambulance Service after becoming increasingly concerned about a vile stench emanating from the flat.
On arrival at the door, the officers were greeted by Brizzi wearing his underpants. The officers noted a number of bottles of chemicals scattered over the hallway floor, and in the bathroom discovered bin bags containing body parts.
Brizzi was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to Lewisham police station.
Commander Nick Downing, from the Metropolitan Police Service, said,
“Today, my heart goes out to Gordon’s partner, family, loved ones, friends and colleagues. They have my deepest sympathy; his loss continues to be acutely felt.
“Brizzi has shown no remorse for his actions, since the time of his arrest and throughout his trial. With today’s sentence a dangerous man, whose cold calculated actions were deeply disturbing, is behind bars.”
Statement on behalf of the family of Gordon Semple,
“Gordon continues to be sadly missed by our family. Gordon we miss you so much, may you rest in peace.
“Gordon was a loyal and much loved long term partner, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend to all.
“We were devastated when the news broke of Gordon’s murder and the circumstances which are still incredibly hard to deal with. It is still insurmountably upsetting. Nothing takes away the pain of our loss.
“At Gordon’s funeral we met many of his friends and work colleagues – we were proud to hear how fondly they thought of Gordon.”
Passing sentence the Recorder of London Nicholas Hilliard QC, said,
“The PCs on scene encountered something no amount of training could have prepared them for. I commend them both.
“Mr Semple was dearly loved by his family and friends and no sentence carried by this court can equate to the precious human life lost.”
Addressing Brizzi directly he said: “No sentence I can pass can undo what you’ve done.
“I have no doubt that there came a time when you went beyond what was agreed and you decided to cause him really serious harm.”
He added: “Your attempts to conceal what happened and dismembering and destroying his body are terrible features of the case.”
The man who murdered a police officer and then disposed of the body by horrifying means is found guilty of his murder and will be sentenced next month.
A man who killed a serving police officer he met on Grindr has been found guilty of his murder and disposing of his body by dissolving it in acid and other horrific means will be sentenced next month.
Stefano Brizzi, 50, went to great lengths to dispose of 59-year-old Gordon Semple, by dismembering him and getting rid of him in a manner which “amounts to cannibalism”. Police investigating Semple’s death also revealed that they found “a number of bottles of chemicals scattered over the hallway floor and in the bathroom,” when they arrived at Brizzi’s address.
CREDIT: Metropolitan Police
On Friday, 1 April, Gordon Semple, who dedicated 30 years of his working life to the police, was on duty and had been at a meeting in London Bridge. Phone evidence has shown that at just after 14:00hrs that day he used the dating app Grindr to arrange to meet Brizzi for sex at his south London flat.
That afternoon Brizzi strangled Gordon Semple to death and over the following week set about systematically disposing of his body in a bid to either avoid being caught or ensuring that Gordon could never be identified.
In a statement released to the press Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Ayling said,
“Fuelled by drugs, Stefano Brizzi murdered Gordon and then set about systemically disposing of his body, the detail of which is quite frankly distressing to read and hear.
“The investigation has evidenced the sickening lengths that he went to dismember Gordon and dispose of his remains, not just in the immediate aftermath of the murder but over the days that followed, and amounts to cannibalism.
“Brizzi clearly and coldly laid a false trail by contacting Gordon on Grindr five days after he himself had murdered him and weaving a fictious account of what took place that afternoon.
“Brizzi was unaware that Gordon was a police officer and the investigation has proved that the two men had never met before. Only Brizzi will know the reasons why that day he became a killer.”
SHOCKING DETAILS
Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Ayling continued,
“The details of Gordon’s murder have shocked and traumatised his partner, family, friends and colleagues.
“The responding officers and all those involved in the investigation into Gordon’s death have been affected by it, made all the worse by knowing he was a colleague. It is a testimony to their professionalism that Brizzi has been convicted.
“Sadly, it is clear from the investigation that Gordon, a man who had dedicated the last three decades of his life to policing London, was behaving on duty in a way that no police officer should. Gordon held a position of trust, and he broke that trust.
“However, nothing should distract from the actions of Stefano Brizzi and the blame for Gordon’s death lies firmly with this man. A killer whose cold calculated actions are so grotesque they are beyond comprehension. Nothing will bring Gordon back, but I hope that the verdict will help all those who loved and cared for him; who considered him a friend and who worked alongside him to come to terms with how they feel and start to move on.”
GRINDR
The investigation by the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command established that both Gordon and Brizzi routinely used Grindr to meet like-minded men for sex and drug use.
Over the 24 hours prior to Gordon’s murder, Brizzi was using Grindr to chat to men and invite them to his flat, his messages show that he was getting increasingly frustrated during this time as people failed to show up. He had been taking drugs and had been awake all night.
Two hours after Gordon had arrived at the flat he continued to use Grindr to invite other men to join them whilst Brizzi’s own messages clearly showed he was becoming less interested in what was happening.
The last message that Gordon sent that day was at 19:04hrs. Only 20 minutes later a call to Gordon’s mobile went unanswered – Police believe by then he was dead.
In evidence, the prosecution outlined that Brizzi’s motive was unclear, but he told one of the responding officers that despite not knowing him he simply did not like Gordon.
DEVASTATED FAMILY
A statement on behalf of the family of Gordon Semple said,
“Gordon was a loyal and much loved long term partner, brother, brother in law, uncle, cousin and friend to all.
“We were devastated when the news broke of Gordon’s murder and the circumstances which are still incredibly hard to deal with. It is still insurmountably upsetting.
“At Gordon’s funeral we met many of his friends and work colleagues – we were proud to hear how fondly they thought of Gordon.
“Gordon will be sadly missed by our family. Gordon we miss you so much, may you rest in peace.”
A man has appeared in custody via virtual court at Bromley Magistrates’ Court in connection to the murder of Gordon Semple.
CREDIT: Facebook
A 49-year-old charged with the murder of an openly gay police officer in London has appeared in custody via virtual court at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.
No indication of plea was given.
Stefano Brizzi was remanded in custody and will appear at the Old Bailey on the 13th April. Mr. Brizzi was wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit, as he confirmed his name, age and address via video link from Lewisham Police Station.
Detectives working on the case are now satisfied that the remains found at an address in London are those of Gordon Semple, 59, who went missing on the 1st April.
On behalf of Gordon’s partner Gary, my wife Maureen, Gordon’s nephew Paul, niece Kerry and I, I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts during the past dreadful week. It has been a terrible time for us all, especially Gary.
I would also like to thank Oliver Westbury for setting up “Gordon Semple, 59 missing” Facebook appeal page and also other cousins and nephews who tried to find Gordon.
Gordon will be sadly missed by all of his immediate family, his colleagues in the Met Police, former Bank of Scotland colleagues in Inverness & London, Friends from his Tartan Army Days, but most of all the hardest loss is for Gary at this time.
Gordon was a much loved Partner, Brother, Brother-in-Law, Uncle & Cousin and our world will be a worse place without him.
ADVERT
[adinserter block=”1″]
A post-mortem exam was carried out on the 8th April but the cause of death has yet to be established. A further post-mortem is to be carried out on the 13th April.
Detectives are treating his death as a murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, who is leading the investigation into Gordon’s murder, said:
“I am keen to trace a man who went to Brizzi’s flat in Southwark Street on Friday, 1 April at about 15:00. He was there for only one minute, and did not go inside, but it is incredibly important that we speak to him.
“If you are that man please come forward and call us on 020 8721 4961. I will treat what you tell me with sensitivity and confidentiality – please get in touch with us I need to talk to you.”
