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Beckham family bodyguard dead after chilling final post

David and Victoria Beckham and some of the biggest stars on the planet have been rocked by the mysterious death of a celebrity bodyguard.

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David Beckham’s former bodyguard Craig Ainsworth has been mysteriously found dead after he suddenly went missing in Spain.

The ex-Royal Marine, who protected the likes of Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lawrence and Arnold Schwarzenegger, posted a haunting “last message” in his final days.

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, The Sun reports.

She previously revealed that her son, who was suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, had “posted a last message on Facebook to say goodbye”.

Sally Ainsworth wrote: “Craig has been found.

“With the greatest sadness the world has lost Craig. He served in Afghanistan and he had PTSD”.

Craig Ainsworth protected the entire Beckham family, including children, Romeo (left), Cruz (centre) and Brooklyn (right). Photo by Leon NEAL / AFP)
Craig Ainsworth protected the entire Beckham family, including children, Romeo (left), Cruz (centre) and Brooklyn (right). Photo by Leon NEAL / AFP)

She published a photo of him in military uniform, saying “RIP Craig”.

It is not clear yet where exactly he was found and how he died.

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.

The former Marine, from Enfield, north London, was hired to protect the Beckhams via US security firm Gavin De Becker.

Just days before his death, an agonising message understood to be posted by the former bodyguard, appeared on Facebook.

The post read: “Goodbye Beautiful People. To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist; that is all.

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham watch the football legend’s team compete in the United States. Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP.
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham watch the football legend’s team compete in the United States. Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP.

“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.”

Apologising to friends and relatives and his “Royal Marine brothers”, he added: “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.”

The post even talked about Craig’s funeral arrangements: “I do not want a funeral. At all. Cremate my body and throw the ashes in the sea.

Craig Ainsworth shared his final messages on social media. Credit: Facebook
Craig Ainsworth shared his final messages on social media. Credit: Facebook

“Also, please do not post about what a good guy I was or any of that nonsense. If you haven’t been there for me the past few years, stole from me, finessed me, or if I simply wasn’t worth the effort alive, please don’t pretend now.

“There’s nothing worse than a traitor’s remorse.”

Craig had to pass several tests, including being pepper-sprayed in the eyes and tackling an MMA fighter in the dark, to become a bodyguard.

And before joining the Beckhams, he had to sign a 50-year non-disclosure agreement.

He spoke about the couple after the Netflix series on 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.”

Ainsworth served as a Royal Marine in Afghanistan.

— This story originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission

Originally published as Beckham family bodyguard dead after chilling final post

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/football/beckham-family-bodyguard-dead-after-chilling-final-post/news-story/17916048aad49db4964c9cb26e44c5d9