Gangster Dave Courtney’s death is now at the centre of a police probe after his body was found “with a pillow over his face.”
The 64-year-old was found dead at his Camelot Castle home, just hours after he had been pictured beaming at a Charlton FC football match with pals.
He had even posted pictures to social media of his day out, which included a dinner with friends. But on Sunday at around 4am, he was discovered dead in his bed.
Courtney’s Twitter page announced the news, saying he “tragically took his own life” at his Plumstead home in the east end “with a firearm.”
Scotland Yard has since confirmed his death is being investigated.
However no arrests have currently been made, according to sources quoted in the Sun.
“His family ask for respect during this period of mourning,” the family’s statement added.
Courtney had been in high spirits after watching Charlton Athletic beat Reading 4-0 in a League One match.
He had been drinking into the earlier hours of Sunday morning, but his friend and lodger Brendan McGirr, 57, had been worried when he did not emerge from his bedroom in his south-east London home.
Brendan went into Courtney’s room to find him in bed, shot through the head, with a pillow covering his face.
The flamboyant former crime kingpin, who wrote six books and appeared in films and documentaries.
Sharing pictures from his night out on Facebook the day before he was found dead, Courtney said: “At Charlton today. Full works today three course meal.”
He added: “And what a cool cool day it’s all turning out to be.”
A friend of Dave’s told the Sun: “They stayed up until 4am drinking and went to bed. At around 11am his lodger and friend Brendan went to look in Dave’s bedroom because it was very quiet.
“He found Dave in bed with a pillow placed across his face and he had been shot in the head. The first impression was that he had taken his own life. But the police have to be certain and are investigating.”
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: /news
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow our social media accounts here on facebook.com/DailyExpress and @daily_express
