AIDS: THE LOST VOICES
In 1986, a series of tragic events unfolded in London, resulting in the murder of four men and an attempted murder of three others. The pivotal moment came when one of the survivors courageously identified Michele del Marco Lupo as the assailant in a local gay pub, leading to his arrest and a sentencing of four life terms.
Despite the extensive media coverage that followed, the details surrounding the victims and the tragic circumstances of their deaths remained largely underexplored. In recent years, the narrative has been further complicated by various entertainers—drag queens, comedians, and podcasters—who have sensationalised and glamorised Lupo's crimes, often perpetuating erroneous claims about the events. This lack of diligent research not only distorts the historical reality but also overshadows the lives of the victims and the true horror of these sensless crimes.
'Murder Squad' serves as a compelling chronicle that extends the narrative established by the ITV documentary series from the early 1990s. Authored by Tim Tate and Ray Wyre, the book offers an unprecedented glimpse into the police files concerning various high-profile cases, most notably the harrowing case of Michele Lupo.
Through meticulous detailing of the murders and the complex interactions of the individuals involved, Tate and Wyre unravel the tragic events that unfolded. The text is enriched by statements from survivors and insights from Lupo himself, presenting a multifaceted view of the circumstances surrounding these crimes. However, due to the inaccessibility of 15 police archive boxes—restricted by the time and cost of redacting sensitive material—this book represents our closest opportunity to engage with the factual evidence. It helps to clarify and debunk numerous claims perpetuated by bloggers, podcasts, and amateur sleuths, ensuring a more informed understanding of these chilling events.
McDONAGH, Kevin was born on 2nd June 1954 in Clonmel, County Tipperary. Kevin was one of six children, Patrick, Denis, twins John and Thomas, and Kevin being the youngest until his sister Elizabeth’s arrival in 1957. All born to parents Mrs Griffin and Mr McDonagh.
Kevin graduated from University College, Cork, with a BSc in biology in 1976 and shortly after moved to London to study osteopathy. Ten years later he worked in a joint practice in Wimbledon.
By the time Kevin met Lupo at the Colherne Pub in Earls Court in 1986, he was 31 years old. Unbeknown to Kevin, this seemingly innocent encounter marked the beginning of a dark chapter that would lead to a spree of murders within London's gay community. For reasons unclear, Kevin thankfully survived the attempt on his life on Monday 10th March 1986 in the derelict basement of 32 Warwick Road - opposite the then Earls Court Exhibition Centre.
We were unable to find much about Kevin McDonagh, except that he sadly passed away on 5th September 2000, at the age of 46, in London’s Mildmay Mission Hospital, located in East London. His cause of death was certified as “Bronchopneumonia,” and his usual address was noted as Parliament Hill, Hampstead, London. Given his age and the medical facilities available to him, it is concerning that he succumbed to bronchopneumonia, particularly in a hospital renowned for being the country's first AIDS hospice. This raises the likelihood that Kevin's death was related to AIDS, as AIDS-related bronchopneumonia remains a critical concern among those living with the virus.
POLICE PHOTO: Scene at 32 Warwick Road [Kevin McDonagh & Jim Burns]
“Iron steps” at No. 32
LEFT: Earls Court Tube RIGHT: No. 32
BURNS, James George was born on 9th September 1949 in Edinburgh, Scotland to parents James Gibson Burns and Elizabeth Patrick. James, known as ‘Jim’ was brother to two younger sisters, Elizabeth and Agnes.
After leaving school, Jim embarked on a career in the Royal Air Force, where he served with dedication until a breakdown compelled him to leave the service. Seeking solace in London, he settled in Whipps Cross, East London, where his gentle and quiet nature allowed him to comfortably embrace solitude.
Belfast News: 17 July 1986
Employed as a train guard at London’s bustling Liverpool Street station, Jim found a sense of routine in his work. In his downtime, he frequented the vibrant gay pubs and bars of Earl's Court, where he sought connection and companionship like many of his peers. It was at The Colherne on the night of 15th March 1986 that his life would take a fateful turn, leading him to cross paths with Lupo, an encounter that would see his life cut short in the basement of 32 Warwick Road - Jim was only 36-years-old.
After being discovered on the morning of 16th March 1986 by labourers working on the property during its refurbishment, Jim eventually returned to his home in Edinburgh, where he was reunited with his family. This poignant reunion was bittersweet; on 12th April 1986, Jim was cremated, and his ashes were lovingly dispersed in the Garden of Remembrance. This final tribute not only honoured his memory but also provided his family a serene place to reflect on his life, ensuring that he remained a cherished part of their lives even in absence.
Despite claims in the re-telling of this tragedy by others - we found no evidence that Jim was living with HIV/AIDS nor was there ever any suspicion he was.
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CONOLLY, Anthony ‘Tony’ was born on 26th November 1959 in Newcastle to parents Emanuel Conolly and Anastasia Fortune. One of four children Anthony’s eledest sister Mary was followed by his older brother Francis and youngest sister Sheila.
Tony came away from school with an A-level in art and pursued a degree in the same subject in London. After completing his studies, he returned to Newcastle College to teach, sharing his passion and knowledge with aspiring artists.
1986 APPEAL: Met Police Poster for information
However, due to budget cuts, he found himself forced to leave the educational sector. In search of a new path, he relocated back to London’s East End, where he took a job in a vegetarian restaurant, juggling his artistic ambitions with the practical need to support himself.
Tony was often described as cheerful, thoughtful, and relaxed, traits that complemented his flamboyant style—a nod to his creative and artistic spirit. His custom-made clothes were a vibrant canvas reflecting his personality, each piece a testament to his eye for detail and flair for the dramatic. Tony, like many gay men in London during the 1980s, frequented vibrant pubs such as The Coleherne in Earls Court and the Prince of Wales in Brixton. On the night of 5th April 1986, amidst the lively chatter and clinking of glasses, Tony encountered Lupo. Unbeknownst to Tony, this fleeting meeting would take an ominous turn, leading to the heart-wrenching conclusion of Tony’s life in a railway hut on the embankment, a short walk from the spirited surroundings of the pub where he’d spent the evening.
Before Tony’s family could lay him to rest, suspicion arose regarding his health status, particularly as he had been living with and had an intimate relationship with his friend and flatmate, Simon Walder, who had been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Concern swirled amongst the patholigist and mortuary staff who refused to handle Tony’s body delaying his return to his family.
1984 Map showing Railway Hut [SB = Side Building]
The Railway Hut today [2022]
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1st Anniversary: 4th April 1987
WALDER, Simon John was born on 20th May 1953, his death certificate stating his birthplace merely as “England”. Given the informant of his death is his employer perhaps indicates Simon was not in contact with his family.
Further, there is no birth record of a Simon John Walder in the UK in the year of 1953 nor the years either side.
Simon John is known to hail from Lambeth, London, and an intriguing connection emerges with a birth record for a ‘William John Walder’, born in May 1953 in the same area. While this correlation remains speculative, it raises the possibility that ‘William John’ later adopted the name ‘Simon John’. The record also reveals that his mother’s maiden name was ‘Walder’, which could suggest that he was born out of wedlock, potentially providing insight into the motivations behind a change of forename in his later life. This alone invites further exploration into the complexities of identity and personal history.
This insight only became relevant as it proved difficult to find out more about Simon and his family and early life. But by Simon’s own admission he was by 1986 diagnosed as living with a HIV/AIDS diagnosis. The loss of his friend and flatmate Tony Conolly must have been devestating given Simon no doubt frequented the same gay bars and clubs.
We did learn that sadly Simon passed away on the 3rd May 1995 at London’s St. Thomas Hospital from an AIDS-related illness. His death certificate giving a brief glimpse of his life at the time of his death where his occupation is listed as “Personal Secretary” and where his death is registered by Elias Kulukundis of the wealthy shipping family. Simon was cremated on 9th May 1995 and his ashes interred on 12th May 1995 at Kensal Green Cemetery.
UK AIDS Quilt created by Simon in 1992
Courtesy of: Home - UK AIDS Memorial Quilt
MALE, Uknown is the name given when registering this mans death. The only known certainty of this man is that he was registered with a forename and surname at the time of his birth. Following a post mortem, it was determined that he was approximately 60 years old and had met a tragic end by strangulation.
SCENE: Hungerford Bridge footpath, Charing Cross
Residing in the arches of Charing Cross, London, he was a part of the transient community known nationally as ‘Cardboard City’.
Lupo ascended the stairs by Embankment Station. The unknown male asked Lupo for a cigarette, and without hesitation, Lupo handed over the very one he was smoking. A moment later, the atmosphere shifted; Lupo's hand was suddenly tight around the man’s throat, using the scarf draped around the stranger's neck to strangle him. The struggle was brief, and as life ebbed from the man’s eyes, Lupo attempted to drag the lifeless body along the bridge. However, the effort proved futile after just fifteen feet, and he abandoned the grim task, retreating into the shadows of the city.
Despite significant canvassing efforts and appeals for information regarding his death, an unsettling silence followed; no one came forward to shed light on his life or circumstances, leaving a void of understanding surrounding his existence and untimely demise.
15th May 1986: Westminster & Pimlico News
SCENE: Where Mark was attacked (filmed July 1987)
Mark Leyland was born in Liverpool in 1964 and later moved to London, where he took a position as a chef at a prestigious Park Lane hotel. At the age of 22, his life took a drastic turn when he encountered Lupo on Villiers Street, Charing Cross, near Heaven nightclub. On 18th April 1986, Mark experienced a near-fatal encounter with Lupo, who attempted to take his life in a shocking act of violence. Following the incident, Mark struggled with the trauma and hesitated to involve the authorities, ultimately reporting the harrowing experience as a "vicious mugging." It took considerable time for him to feel secure enough to share the truth of that night with the police.
We did reach out to Mark and although he read our message we didnt wish to push with a follow up given this experience is perhaps still raw today as it was back in 1986.
McCLOSKEY, Damien Michael was born on 7th September 1963, Londonderry, Northern Ireland to parents Daniel ‘Danny’ Patrick McCloskey and Ellen Kelly. Damien was one of seven children.
Upon leaving school Damien was unemployed before deciding to move to London with a friend. The friend didnt stick it out but Damien, arriving in London was having a blast exploring London’s gay scene.
Damien had found a job at the Philbeach Hotel in Earls Court, a bustling establishment renowned in the 1980s as the largest gay-run hotel in Europe, catering to an exclusive clientele. As a Domestic Assistant, he immersed himself in all aspects of the business, from managing the reception desk to serving food and drinks at the bar, earning the respect and admiration of both guests and colleagues alike.
Initially, he resided within the hotel's confines before moving into a flat share with a friend at Flat 1, 327 Kennington Road, south of the River Thames. Known for his outgoing nature and charm, Damien appeared to be flourishing in his new life in London. However, this promising trajectory was tragically interrupted in the early hours of 25th April 1986, when a fateful encounter with Lupo outside the Copacabana club led him to 150 Cromwell Road, where he would end his life at the tender age of 22.
Damien was survived by his mother, Ellen, and his siblings: Anne, Daniel, Vincent, Molly, Paul, and Helena. In a recent conversation with Damien's niece, she expressed that he remains very much in the family's thoughts, keeping Damien’s spirit alive within the family, as they navigate their grief together while remembering the impact he had in their lives.
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Despite claims in the re-telling of this tragedy by others - we found no evidence that Damien was living with HIV/AIDS nor was there ever any suspicion that he was.
INTERVIEW: David Daily Mirror 1987
David Nigel Cole was born in Willesden, London, in March 1956 to Leonard J Cole and Mary Cronin, growing up as one of five siblings alongside his brothers Ian, Peter, Adrian, and sister Margaret. After building a life for himself, David was employed by British Rail and, at the age of 30, found himself drawn to the vibrant atmosphere of the Market Tavern, a gay hotspot in Vauxhall.
On the night of 8th May 1986, his encounter with Lupo took a dark turn when, following Lupo to a desolate lorry park across from Wyril Road, David faced a grave threat to his life, marking a pivotal moment in his journey. Thankfully David put up a strong fight and Lupo eventually fled.
The police, not fully connecting all of Lupo’s victims, decided to take a chance on David, assigning him the task of searching gay night spots in a covert operation. This undercover initiative commenced at 22:15 on the night of Thursday, 15th May 1986, with a backup unit and additional undercover officers discreetly positioned to assist. The hope was that David might recognise his attacker amid the vibrant, pulsating atmosphere of the nightlife, providing crucial insights that could help unravel the grim mystery surrounding the series of murders and attempted murders.
It paid off when David, returning to the Prince of Wales pub, Brixton spotted the man who attacked him. Michele Lupo was arrested and taken into custody.
We did manage to locate David but we have had no response as of yet.
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