A serving police officer in Westminster was murdered and dismembered by a man he met on the dating app Grindr in an awful crime that was described as "cannibalism" by one detective.

Gordon Semple, 59, was found in the bathroom of a south London flat in bin bags containing his body parts after he was murdered six days earlier.

Mr Semple was strangled by Stefano Brizzi, 50, after the pair had agreed to meet at Brizzi's flat in Southwark on Friday April 1.

Brizzi was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey on Monday (November 14) and will be sentenced at the same court on Friday December 9.

Detective Chief Superintendent, Peter Ayling, said: “Fuelled by drugs, Stefano Brizzi murdered Gordon and then set about systematically disposing of his body, the detail of which is quite frankly distressing to read and hear.

'Amounts to cannibalism'

“The investigation has evidenced the sickening lengths 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 five days after he himself had murdered him and weaving a fictitious account of what took place that afternoon.

“Only Brizzi will know the reasons why that day he became a killer.”

Serving officer for 30 years

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Brizzi was described as Breaking Bad fan and PC Semple's DNA was found in Brizzi's oven, on a chopping board and chopsticks.

Mr Semple was a police constable with the Metropolitan Police based in the Westminster Antisocial Behaviour Team, and had been an officer for more than 30 years.

On April 1 he had been on duty and had been at a meeting in London Bridge, when just after 2pm he arranged to meet Brizzi for sex.

Stefano Brizzi

Mr Semple was reported missing the following day by his partner, and the Homicide and Major Crime Command began investigating on Thursday April 7.

The next day, neighbours at Brizzi's home in the Peabody Estate, Southwark, called the police because of the vile stench coming from the flat.

Chemicals found at the flat

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When officers arrived at the scene they found bottles of chemicals scattered on the floor and found Mr Semple's body.

Brizzi was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Investigations found that both Mr Semple and Brizzi used Grindr to meet men for sex and drug use.

Brizzi had been awake all night and had been taking drugs when Mr Semple agreed to meet him.

Gordon Semple

'Shock and traumatised'

Chief Superintendent Peter Ayling said: “The details of Gordon's murder have shocked and traumatised his partner, family, friends and colleagues.

“Sadly it is clear from the investigation that Gordon, a man who 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.”

Brizzi was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey on Monday (November 14) and will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, December 9.

He previously pleaded guilty to obstructing a coroner from holding and inquest and preventing a lawful burial.

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.

Mr Semple was 'much loved'

A statement on behalf of Mr Semple's family 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 though of Gorden.

“Gordon will be sadly missed by our family. Gordon we miss you so much, may you rest in peace.”

Police pay tribute to Gordon Semple

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