Is the UK Home to a Grindr Serial Killer?

In a news story making waves across the UK, a man has been arrested and charged with four murders. He is accused of using the popular gay dating and hook up app Grindr as a means to find his victims.

Stephen Port, 40, of East London, has been linked to the deaths of four different young gay men.

Google News: Stephen Port charged with four murders in Barking – BBC News http://t.co/Fn7ikac1Oz

— Ciscaucasia (@ciscaucasia) October 19, 2015

All four were found in the yard of a church and died as the result of high doses of GHB. GHB, sometimes called “liquid ecstasy” is best known as a date-rape drug. It suppresses the central nervous system. In large doses, it can be fatal.

The first victim, Anthony Patrick Walgate, 23, was discovered in June 2014. Then Gabriel Kovari, 22, was found in August 2014, and Daniel Whitworth, 21, was found in September. The final victim, Jack Taylor, 25, was found this September. Their professions ranged from working at a warehouse to studying fashion. Port allegedly met all four of them on “gay dating websites,” such as popular mobile app Grindr. According to police, he then brought them back to his apartment before giving them GHB. It’s unclear whether he intended to kill his victims, or just drug them. If he did intend to kill them, it is also unclear what his motive was.

Even more strangely, at least two of the victims appear to have been connected. Kovari and Whitworth, who were killed just one month apart knew each other, and according to some sources, may have been in a relationship. Allegedly, when Whitworth was found, there was a note in his hand that claimed that he had killed Kovari. Why Port planted that note–possibly to send the police in the wrong direct–is yet another facet of this case that has yet to be solved.

Port appeared in court and was charged with the killings on Monday. He has been officially charged with four counts of murder, as well as four counts of administering a poison with intent to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm.

For many, this story may appear as a clear “I told you so” when it comes to the use of dating/hook up apps like Grindr or Tinder. That being said, while one should always use caution when meeting up with someone they’ve met through technological means, this is clearly a particularly tragic and terrifying isolated incident.

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.