Key Points
- Edward Cornes, a 19-year-old gay student from the West Midlands, was found dead in a King’s Cross hotel in North London on October 2021, just two days after arriving to study law at University College London (UCL) with aspirations of becoming a barrister.
- He was discovered in the company of two men in their 50s; no charges were brought after the Metropolitan Police (Met Police) investigation, during which crucial CCTV footage and a blood sample were lost.
- A post-mortem examination revealed large amounts of alcohol, GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), and crystal meth in his body; his body was found on a bed wearing boxer shorts the wrong way around.
- The two men claimed at the inquest they dressed him in an attempt to revive him before calling an ambulance.
- Edward’s mother, Miriam Blythe, has demanded the Met Police reopen the investigation, accusing officers of focusing excessively on her son’s sexuality, failing to treat the case seriously, not interviewing key witnesses, and allowing evidence to be lost while the probe was active.
- Miriam Blythe stated: “Apart from the obvious homophobia, I felt they didn’t treat this seriously at all.”
- She spoke out on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, reiterating her criticisms of the police handling.
- The inquest into Edward’s death highlighted investigative shortcomings, but no further action was taken at the time.
King’s Cross (North London News) January 28, 2026 – The mother of 19-year-old gay student Edward Cornes, who was found dead in a North London hotel two days after starting his law studies at University College London, has demanded that the Metropolitan Police reopen the investigation into her son’s death, accusing officers of homophobia and gross mishandling of evidence.
Miriam Blythe, Edward’s mum from the West Midlands, appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain today, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, where she blasted the Met Police for what she described as a lacklustre probe marred by lost CCTV footage, a missing blood sample, and a failure to interview key witnesses. As reported by journalists at MyLondon, Edward was discovered lifeless in a King’s Cross hotel room in October 2021, in the company of two men in their 50s, with toxicology reports confirming lethal levels of alcohol, GHB, and crystal meth in his system. No charges were filed despite these circumstances, prompting Ms Blythe’s ongoing campaign for justice.
What Led to Edward Cornes’ Death?
Edward Cornes, a bright 19-year-old with dreams of becoming a barrister, had travelled from the West Midlands to London to begin his studies at University College London (UCL) in October 2021. According to details emerging from the inquest and reported extensively by MyLondon, he was found dead in a hotel room in King’s Cross, a bustling area near major transport hubs in North London. His body was lying on the bed, clad only in boxer shorts that were reportedly on the wrong way around.
The two men present, both in their 50s, told the inquest they had dressed him in a desperate bid to revive him before summoning an ambulance. A post-mortem examination, as detailed in MyLondon’s coverage, revealed “large amounts” of alcohol, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB – commonly known as a “date rape” drug), and crystal meth in his bloodstream, pointing to a tragic overdose. Miriam Blythe has questioned the full context of these events, insisting that the circumstances warranted a far more rigorous investigation.
Why Does Miriam Blythe Accuse the Met Police of Homophobia?
Miriam Blythe’s most pointed criticism centres on what she perceives as overt homophobia in the Met Police’s approach. Speaking directly on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on January 28, 2026, she declared:
“Apart from the obvious homophobia, I felt they didn’t treat this seriously at all.”
As attributed to Ms Blythe in MyLondon’s article by their North London news team, she believes officers fixated on her son’s sexuality as a gay man rather than pursuing leads objectively.
This accusation strikes at the heart of broader concerns about policing attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals in high-profile death cases. Ms Blythe further claimed that key witnesses were never interviewed, allowing potential insights into Edward’s final hours to go unexplored. The loss of critical evidence – including CCTV footage from the hotel and a vital blood sample – occurred while the investigation remained active, fuelling her distrust.
What Evidence Was Lost in the Investigation?
The mishandling of evidence forms a cornerstone of Miriam Blythe’s grievances. MyLondon reports that CCTV footage, which could have captured Edward’s movements in and around the King’s Cross hotel, was inexplicably lost during the Met Police probe. Similarly, a blood sample – potentially crucial for verifying toxicology timelines or detecting additional substances – vanished from police custody.
These lapses, as highlighted at Edward’s inquest, undermined any chance of a thorough examination. The two men in their 50s with Edward maintained they acted only to help when he fell ill, but Ms Blythe questions why no deeper scrutiny was applied.
“They didn’t treat this seriously at all,”
she reiterated on Good Morning Britain, emphasising how these evidentiary failures halted progress.
How Did the Two Men Involved Respond at the Inquest?
At the formal inquest into Edward Cornes’ death, the two men in their 50s provided a consistent account. They stated they discovered Edward unresponsive and attempted to dress him – explaining the backwards boxer shorts – in efforts to rouse him, before dialling for emergency services. MyLondon’s detailed reporting notes that this testimony was accepted without charges, despite the presence of party drugs like GHB and crystal meth.
Miriam Blythe, however, contests the adequacy of police follow-up. She argues that interviewing these individuals more comprehensively, alongside other potential witnesses, might have uncovered motives or additional context surrounding Edward’s decision to meet them shortly after arriving in London.
What Has Miriam Blythe Done to Seek Justice?
Miriam Blythe’s advocacy has intensified over the years since her son’s death. Her appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on January 28, 2026, marks a public escalation, where she explicitly called for the Met Police to “reopen the investigation.” As covered by MyLondon, she has voiced frustration not just at evidential losses but at the perceived dismissal of her concerns due to Edward’s identity as a gay student.
From the West Midlands, Ms Blythe has transformed personal grief into a quest for accountability, highlighting systemic issues in how sudden deaths involving young LGBTQ+ individuals are handled. Her statements urge a fresh look, potentially involving independent oversight.
Why Was No Action Taken Against the Two Men?
Despite the grim discoveries – Edward found in a compromised state with two older men and high levels of recreational drugs – no charges were brought. The Met Police investigation concluded without prosecution, a decision Miriam Blythe attributes to investigative shortcomings rather than lack of wrongdoing. MyLondon notes that the inquest focused on medical causes, ruled as drug and alcohol-related, but stopped short of criminal inquiry.
The men’s inquest evidence of revival attempts was not contested legally, yet Ms Blythe insists this overlooked broader questions about Edward’s vulnerability as a new arrival to London.
What Role Did University College London Play?
Edward Cornes had enrolled at University College London (UCL), one of the UK’s premier institutions for law, mere days before his death. MyLondon reports he aimed to pursue a barrister career, making his loss all the more poignant. UCL has not publicly commented in available coverage, but the tragedy underscores risks faced by freshers navigating big-city life.
Ms Blythe’s narrative frames Edward as an ambitious young man whose life was cut short prematurely, possibly preventable with better safeguards.
How Has This Case Highlighted Broader Policing Issues?
This story resonates amid ongoing scrutiny of the Met Police, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ cases. Miriam Blythe’s claims of homophobia echo criticisms in other high-profile inquiries, where evidence handling and witness engagement have faltered. Her Good Morning Britain platform on January 28, 2026, amplifies calls for reform.
As a neutral observer, the case illustrates tensions between family expectations and police resources, without prejudging outcomes. MyLondon’s reporting ensures all voices, from Ms Blythe to inquest details, are represented.
What Happens Next in the Push for Reopening?
Miriam Blythe’s demand places pressure on the Met Police to review the file. Whether independent bodies like the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) get involved remains unseen. Her persistence, as per MyLondon, keeps Edward’s memory alive, urging systemic change.
The family awaits response, with public attention potentially swaying action. This North London tragedy continues to unfold, demanding transparency.
