A former bodyguard to the Beckhams has been found dead in Spain.
Ex-Royal Marine Craig Ainsworth’s mother revealed the tragic news in a weekend statement after launching an urgent appeal for information about the missing veteran.
She went public with her appeal after revealing Craig, who was struggling with 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 a social media update on Saturday, Sally confirmed the 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.’
Craig, from Enfield, north London, had written to friends on Saturday describing his ‘tremendous pain’ since ‘lockdown destroyed everything I had built’.
‘I lost some genuinely amazing humans I was proud to call friends and colleagues,’ he wrote.
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.
After losing ‘eleven friends … to suicide in just sixteen months’ through the lockdowns, the veteran had found ‘purpose’ in coaching others in building resilience under pressure.
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham with Craig Ainsworth (left) in September 2013
The former Marine, from Enfield, north London, was hired to protect the Beckhams via US security firm Gavin De Becker
Craig had written on Facebook on Saturday a ‘Goodbye’ message understood to have sparked his mother’s urgent appeal and call to police: ‘Goodbye Beautiful People…
‘To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all,’ he wrote, quoting Oscar Wilde.
‘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.
‘I lived the life of ten men,’ he added. ‘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.’
In a note to his dogs, he wrote: ‘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 forvever x’
Craig had written frankly about his experiences in a biography called ‘The Discombobulated Alpha’, published in October 2023.
The blurb summarised: ‘From bullied London lad to Royal Marine Commando, to protecting the most famous and hunting the infamous, to blazing a trail of personal transformation.
‘Craig Ainsworth’s life is a rollercoaster of adventure. As a battle-hardened Royal Marine Commando, trusted bodyguard, and surveillance specialist, he stood guard over a constellation of Royalty, Celebrities, and Billionaires.
‘Yet, when the pandemic stormed in like a plot twist, Ainsworth’s life took a dramatic turn. Isolated and haunted by the world’s turmoil, he faced a devastating loss—eleven friends lost to suicide in just sixteen months.
‘Powerless to shield those he held dear, he embarked on an audacious mission to redefine his purpose.’
Craig worked as a bodyguard and later as a coach helping others after leaving the military
Craig Ainsworth served as a Royal Marine
The former Marine had founded Virtuous Savage, described as a community committed to helping individuals conquer mental health struggles and realise their untapped potential.
He worked as a coach, helping others ‘destroy limiting beliefs’, ‘build resilience under pressure’, ‘sharpen focus and clarity’ and ‘create bulletproof momentum’.
Years prior, the former Marine was hired to protect the Beckhams via US security firm Gavin De Becker.
He joined the couple in 2013, as the former England midfielder moved back to London from a short stint at PSG.
Craig had to pass tests including being pepper-sprayed in the eyes and tackling an MMA fighter in the dark.
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.
Craig described his time working for the couple after the Netflix series Beckham came out: ‘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.
Former Royal Marine Craig Ainsworth had worked in security roles for A List celebrities
Craig had 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.’
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
