Man horrifically beaten and burned to death in what may have been a homophobic attack
Police are investigating reports that Steven Walker, a 28 year old barman from Cumnock in Scotland, was beaten and burned to death because he was gay.
Walker’s body was found on an industrial estate roadside at around 05:00 on Saturday morning. The victim is said to have endured ‘horrible injuries’ after the attacker or attackers tied him to a lamppost and beat him, before setting him alight.
Strathclyde Police are looking into all areas of the young man’s life following reports that the unknown attacker or attackers could have been driven by homophobia.
It has emerged that Walker, described as ‘the life and soul of the party’, was due to attend his Grandmother’s 80th birthday party the day after the attack.
One cousin who attended the party said: “we knew something as wrong because he as really close to his gran and wouldn’t have missed her party for anything.”
Walker may have been at a house party in Cumnock’s Netherthird housing estate before the attack, after enjoying a night out drinking with friends.
He was last seen alive by friends near the fire station in Glasnock Street at around 02:30.
Police are appealing for any information that could point to where Walker was between 02:30 and 04:50, what he was doing and who he was with. The Police are also checking CCTV footage and carrying out door-to-door inquiries in the surrounding areas.
Piles of flowers have been left at the scene of the tragic murder, along with loving messages from the victim’s family and friends.
If you, your friends or any of your family members have been the victim of homophobic abuse, then you may wish to read our factsheets on sexuality or post-traumatic stress disorder in order to discover how counselling could help.
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