A former bodyguard to David and Victoria Beckham has been found dead following a massive police search in Spain.
Ex-Royal Marine Craig Ainsworth’s mum Sally revealed the tragic news in a weekend social media post after launching an urgent appeal for information about the missing war veteran. She went public with her SOS appeal after revealing Craig, who was suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, had “posted a last message on Facebook to say goodbye” and said police were focusing their search for him in Alicante and the Barcelona area.
In an update on Saturday Sally confirmed the gut-wrenching news of his death, saying: “Craig has been found. With the greatest sadness the world has lost Craig. He served in Afghanistan and he had PTSD.” She went on to publish a photo of him in military uniform, saying simply: “RIP Craig.”
Friends rallied round to offer her support, with one writing: “Sending hugs Sally, nothing we say would ease your pain.” Craig, believed to have been aged 40 when he died, worked for the Beckhams from 2013 to 2015 when they lived in London’s Holland Park.
Before he was found over the weekend, he had written a post on Facebook titled “Goodbye Beautiful People…” in which he spoke about having experienced “tremendous pain” over the last four years since the Covid lockdown. He wrote: “‘To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.’
“For most of you this will come as a shock but I’ve been in the most tremendous pain for the past four years since lockdown destroyed everything I had built and I lost some genuinely amazing humans I was proud to call friends and colleagues. Particularly Ryan and Jamie who were brothers to me.”
“Members of my family then attacked and humiliated me publicly despite knowing I was in a bad way, and I lost friends of 20 years who chose to talk about me, instead of talking to me. When I needed everyone most they chose to attack me instead of support me and this is something I’ve never recovered from. It just broke me.
“To Juniour, Ishy, Sonia, Clara, Chris Y, Tatts, Nick, Claire, Craig, and my beautiful sister, Lauren. Not to mention my Royal Marine brothers. I’m so so sorry! Please don’t be mad or sad, I’m free now. You guys were the light that kept me going all this time, words are primitive when it comes to how grateful I am for you all.”
“I lived the life of ten men. I lived with a pure heart and good intentions. Certainly not a perfect person but I lived life that’s for sure. I’ve been in agony but strived to project positivity into the world and help others. Imagine a silly boy from Enfield growing up to live a life of such adventure. I honestly couldn’t include half of my life in my biography but every story is true and my gift to you all to prove that you can achieve anything but you have to want it more than air! Plus life is just bonkers! Get involved.”
He continued: “Anyone thinking about hurting themselves please seek help. Don’t copy me as you’ve no idea what I’ve been through. Those closest to me will be happy I found peace. Think about that. Lilo & Stitch – I’m sorry to abandon you, it breaks my heart but I will see you both on the other side where we can play forever x.
“Until then, Ishkiran will look out for you. I am at peace now. Something I never found in life, but what a ride! He spoke about the couple after Netflix series Beckham came out, saying: “David was charming. Victoria kept to herself, she would be with the kids or working.
“With the spotlight they have been under, their kids are well-behaved. To have that level of fame and maintain their family unit, they must be doing something right.”
The former Marine, from Enfield, north London, was hired to protect the Beckhams via US security firm Gavin De Becker. He had to pass tests including being pepper-sprayed in the eyes and tackling an MMA fighter in the dark. And before joining the Beckhams, he had to sign a 50-year Non Disclosure Agreement – one of 183 newspapers reported at the time he had inked.
As well as the former England captain and his fashion designer wife, Craig also protected Hollywood A-listers including Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lawrence and Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was not immediately clear this morning where exactly he had been found and what the circumstances of his sad passing were.
Middlesex University professor Linda Duffy wrote in an online tribute: “I’m so sorry for your loss Sally. Condolences to all the family. Thank you for your service Craig. A brave Royal Marine.”
Susannah Washington added: “Sending hugs and you know everyone is thinking of you and sending their love at this devestating time for you.”
Craig’s body was found on Saturday morning at a park in Lliria, a medium-sized town off the CV35 motorway to the north of the east coast Spanish city of Valencia. The park – called Saint Vincent’s Park or Parque San Vicente in Spanish – is around two miles from Lliria town centre.
A report on a local news website didn’t name him – but described the dead man as a 40-year-old British expat local resident and said his body was found on Saturday morning and confirmed police were not seeking anyone else in connection with his death.
A well-placed source confirmed his identity but insisted the dead man did not live in the area and was visiting relatives living nearby. Dean Birchelll, a former Royal Marine who now runs DB Fitness and Nutrition, said in another of the tributes flooding in for Craig today: “The Royal Marines has lost another brother after a heart wrenching Facebook post from Craig Ainsworth. The RM family, friends and organisations such as Rock 2 Recovery UK tried to get to Craig’s aid before it was too late.
“Unfortunately all efforts were in vain with Craig choosing to ease his pain in this life. Yesterday a group of veterans and serving members of the armed forces got together for a phys session at BodyWorld Plymouth whilst raising money for Rock2recovery. The session was held in memory of Craig. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Lee West added: “So gutted and my heart sank to get off a plane and hear that the search for ‘Bob’ Craig Ainsworth ended in tragedy. I was an instructor when he joined the Royal Marines and he continued his positive happy nature into combat tours, bodyguard to the celebs, writing a book and building his own motivation business.
“He was always positive and a pleasure to message with about plans. My thoughts go out to all those that were close to him. The world needed more ‘Bob’s’ not less. Just really hits home that you can look at someone who had done it all and had it all going for him, but be completely blind to what was going on inside. Can’t imagine how broken he must’ve been to act.
“What a tragic day. Rest in peace Royal. When I saw his final post I thought it was one of those generic shared ones with a meaning of awareness at the end. I didn’t see it coming at all.”
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org , visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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