The police department has denied these allegations, but the controversy has cast a shadow over the handling of the case.
Members of Day’s family have publicly criticized the investigation, sharing their frustrations in a February interview with the television news show “Dateline.” They described the investigation into Day’s disappearance as poorly managed and painfully slow.
This is not only a tragic case loss of an original member of the “Mickey Mouse Club” but also of a man who was a pioneer of gay rights and a gay icon. The legacy of Dennis W. Day, who brought joy to many as a young Mouseketeer, and supported and mentored the gay community should not be overshadowed with the story of his death.
