Craig Ainsworth, former bodyguard to celebrities such as David Beckham, Johnny Depp, and Jennifer Lawrence, was found dead after mysteriously disappearing in Spain. The news was confirmed by his mother, Sally, in a social media post over the weekend.
Ainsworth, 40, a Royal Navy veteran and former combatant in Afghanistan, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to his mother, he had posted a heartfelt farewell message on Facebook just days before he went missing, saying:
“Goodbye, beautiful people. Living is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist; that’s all.”
In the message, Ainsworth expressed his deep pain and reflected on the losses and struggles he had faced in recent years, especially following the pandemic, which he said destroyed everything he had built. He also apologized to friends, family, and his “Royal Navy brothers,” and left clear instructions for his body to be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea.
“Please don’t be angry or sad — I am free now.
I lived the lives of ten men, with a pure heart and good intentions. I was far from perfect, but I truly lived.”
There is still no official confirmation of the cause of death or the exact location where the body was found.
Ainsworth worked as a bodyguard for the Beckhams between 2013 and 2015, while the family lived in Holland Park, London. He was hired through the American security firm Gavin De Becker, after undergoing a rigorous selection process — including being sprayed in the eyes with pepper spray and fighting MMA fighters in the dark.
In an interview following the release of the Netflix documentary series on Beckham, Craig spoke about the couple:
“David was charming. Victoria was more reserved, usually with the kids or working.”
The former serviceman’s mother paid an emotional tribute on social media by sharing a photo of Craig in uniform and writing: “Rest in peace, Craig. The world has lost a wonderful man.”
Photos: Facebook @virtuoussavage. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
