If you need to talk to someone about the issues raised in this article, contact the Samaritans in Spain on 900 525 100. If you want to speak to someone after midnight, you can call the low-cost UK Samaritans overseas line on 0044 330 094 5717
Tributes have poured in for a British former marine who died in Spain at the weekend.
The tragic death of Craig Ainsworth was confirmed by his mother Sally Ainsworth on Saturday.
Craig once worked as a bodyguard for David Beckham and a host of A-list stars, including Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lawrence and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
News of his passing comes after his mother launched an online appeal to find him following a concerning ‘goodbye’ message he had posted on Facebook on Friday.
‘Craig has sadly been found, he has passed over,’ she wrote in an update shortly after 12pm on Saturday.
The post has received hundreds of comments as friends and loved ones offered their condolences.
One friend of Craig’s wrote: ‘Dear Craig, I haven’t been able to write anything all day, but I haven’t stopped thinking of you.
‘I’m always telling my daughter, Evie about my friend, the hero – you ! I am so proud of the man you became.
‘I’ll always tell her about you and your exploits (and maybe a few selected and censored ones of us together growing up)
‘You’ll remain a hero and someone who was actually my real friend who I cherished and have so many amazing memories with. God bless you and Rest easy.’
He added: ‘Dear Sally and family, I send nothing but love and prayers and I am, and always will be here to talk with you and remember Anything you need, or anything I can do. It’s done.’
Craig was believed to be between Barcelona and Alicante when he died.
The Spanish Eye has contacted the British Embassy for comment.
Fellow ex-marine Dean Burchell wrote in tribute: ‘The Royal Marines lost another brother yesterday after a heart wrenching Facebook post from Craig Ainsworth.
‘The RM family, friends and organsiations 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… Our thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Brother.’
Loved one Louise George uploaded a selfie of herself and Craig next to a clip of a beautiful beach.
She said: ‘This view… this memory… etched in my heart forever. We shared moments I’ll never forget; on the road, in the wild, in conversations that spanned stars and shadows.
‘Always planning the next adventure, creation, business and way to be of service. You were complex, brilliant, kind, chaotic, hilarious, wounded, wonderful.
‘There’s so much I could say. But today, just this: I honour you. I carry you in my heart. And I hope you’ve found the peace you were always searching for.
‘You really lived, Craig. Wild and free, curious and open-hearted. You gave so much, and felt so deeply.’
Craig’s friend Karl Clark said he was ‘still trying to get my head around this’, urging people to ‘always seek out help when you need it’.
He said: ‘I hope the view is incredible bro… if only you could see how many people are hurting from you leaving… I don’t think you realised how many people loved, respected and appreciated you and you genuinely gave others inspiration to get out of bed in the morning… you’ll always be in the hearts and minds of those who knew and love you. RIP Bobski.’
Craig protected the Beckhams family from 2013 to 2015 when they lived in Holland Park in London.
In 2023, he revealed how believed Victoria was the ‘leader’ of the household, following the release of the family’s hit Netflix documentary.
He told the Mirror: ‘I feel most women are in charge and just let us men feel like we’re in charge half the time.
‘David and Victoria are both highly professional and have had so much security we’re like background noise to them, we’re part of the furniture. 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.’
If you need to talk to someone about the issues raised in this article, contact the Samaritans in Spain on 900 525 100. If you want to speak to someone after midnight, you can call the low-cost UK Samaritans overseas line on 0044 330 094 5717
