Former London gangster-turned-author Dave Courtney has died aged 64.
Dave was found dead at his home on Chestnut Rise, Plumstead, on Sunday 22 October. His death was announced in a post on his Instagram account, which said that the author “took his own life”.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Courtney at the age of 64,” the post said. “Dave tragically took his own life in the early hours of Sunday 22nd October, with a firearm at his Camelot Castle home in Plumstead.”
The Metropolitan Police said officers attended an address on Chestnut Rise at around 11.25am following reports of a man found deceased. A 64-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, the force said.
Dave's family has been informed. Formal identification has not taken place, and the death is currently being treated as unexpected and is under investigation. No arrests have been made, the Met Police added.
In his final Facebook post, Dave could be seen watching Charlton Athletic lose 4-0 to Reading. The ex-criminal enjoyed the “full works” at The Valley stadium, eating a three course meal.
Dave was a self-proclaimed gangster who became both an author and an actor. The 64 year old, who claimed to be an associate of the notorious Kray twins, was rumoured to be the inspiration behind Vinnie Jones’s character in Guy Ritchie’s gangster film Lock, Stock, And Two Smoking Barrels.
However, he swapped his life of crime to become an author and published six books in total: Stop the Ride I Want to Get Off, Raving Lunacy, Dodgy Dave's Little Black Book, The Ride's Back On, F**k the Ride, and Heroes & Villains.
Dave also starred in and produced his own film, Hell to Pay, in 2005, after taking on the lead role of Mad Dave in the low-budget film Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees in 2003.
He made a living mainly from TV documentaries and personal appearances, and was also involved in charity work. Dave worked on films including Six Bend Trap and Clubbing To Death, and was also featured in The Dead Sleep Easy.
He teamed up with director Liam Galvin on two DVDs – Dave Courtney's Dodgy DVD and Dave Courtney Even Dodgier – as well as films Killer Bitch and Mob Handed.
Dave's fans paid tribute to him on social media following his passing, with one person writing: "Condolences to all Dave's loved ones.. He will never be forgotten!"
"rest in perfect peace Dave," a second person commented, while another said: "Dave was a nice fella this is very sad and will be sadly missed".
Source: Read Full Article
