Celebrity bodyguard Craig Ainsworth has died after his sudden disappearance in Spain, posting a haunting final message. The ex-Royal Marine was hired to protect the likes of David Beckham, Jennifer Lawrence, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Johnny Depp.
Craig’s mum Sally sadly confirmed the news in a social media post this weekend, writing: “Craig has been found. With the greatest sadness the world has lost Craig. He served in Afghanistan and he had PTSD. RIP Craig.” The post was accompanied by a picture of him in military uniform. He was believed to be aged 40 when he died. He had worked for the Beckham family from 2013 to 2015 when they lived in Holland Park, London.
A tragic final Facebook post from the veteran read: "Goodbye Beautiful People. 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.”
He went on to add: "Strange to write something semi-inspirational in my goodbye letter but I’ve just run my course. I’m so lonely and can’t connect or trust anyone after those I loved and trusted most attacked me when I needed them most. [...] It’s why I have put so much effort into helping others and can honestly say I’ve changed lives even when I didn’t want to go on living mine. I tried to regain my worth in this purpose, watching my Virtuous Savages break free from their limitations and flourish; a beautiful experience I’m so honored to have been a part of."
Craig added that he did not want a funeral, but wished to be cremated with his ashes thrown into the ocean, and said goodbye to his beloved dogs, Lilo and Stitch.
When he first went missing, his mother Sally put out a desperate appeal for help – but sadly the story ended in tragedy. Tributes have now been flooding in for Craig, with one person writing: "It's the greatest loss. I still cannot believe he is gone. It feels like a bad dream."
Another added: "Rest easy. RIP." His brother Greg wrote: "My beautiful big brother. Heartbroken. I love you so much I just wish you knew it, we all did. I will regret not calling you more for the rest of my life. Thank you for everyone’s messages and comments of support I’m f***ing devastated and flying out to Spain this morning."
For emotional support, you can email jo@samaritans.org or call 116 123.
