Former Celebrity Bodyguard Craig Ainsworth Found Dead at 40 After Going Missing – Details

A farewell message, a desperate search, and a heartbreaking outcome — the final days of the former Royal Marine and British bodyguard have left many shaken.

Craig Ainsworth, a former Royal Marine and celebrity bodyguard, was found dead after being reported missing. His death was confirmed by his mother in a series of public Facebook posts over the weekend.

In her first post, Sally Ainsworth made an emotional appeal to the public to help locate her missing son. "Missing Veteran Craig Ainsworth. 'my son Urgent - He could be in the Barcelona area or Alicante. He posted a last message on Facebook to say goodbye. Please, if you have seen him. Contact me on 44 7908 705161 The Police are trying to track him. Please share this post if you have friend in Alicante or Barcelona [sic]."

She then updated the same post with the news of his death. "With the greatest sadness the world has lost Craig. He served in Afghanistan and he had PTSD x [sic]."

Sally also confirmed her son's passing in a follow-up post, "Craig has sadly been found. He has passed over." Her final post read, "RIP Craig," accompanied by a photo of Craig in uniform.

On April 5, 2025, Craig Ainsworth posted a detailed and emotional farewell message on Facebook. He began with, "Goodbye Beautiful People… 'To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.'"

In the message, he said that his post would come as a shock to most people. He explained he had been in "the most tremendous pain for the past four years" since the COVID-19 lockdown.

Craig wrote that the lockdown had destroyed everything he had built and that he lost "some genuinely amazing humans" he was proud to call friends and colleagues — specifically naming Ryan and Jamie, who were like his brothers.

He shared that during this period, he was publicly attacked and humiliated by family members despite being in a fragile state. He also mentioned losing longtime friends, "When I needed everyone most they chose to attack me instead of support me and this is something I've never recovered from. It just broke me."

Craig extended heartfelt apologies and thanks to individuals who had supported him during his struggles, "To Juniour, Ishy, Sonia, Clara, Chris Y, Tatts, Nick, Claire, Craig, and my beautiful sister, Lauren. Not to mention my Royal Marine brothers. I'm so so sorry! Please don't be mad or sad, I'm free now. You guys were the light that kept me going all this time, words are primitive when it comes to how grateful I am for you all."

The 40-year-old ex-serviceman also reflected on his journey, "I lived the life of ten men. 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."

About his childhood, he expressed, "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."

Despite the uplifting tone in parts of the message, he made it clear he was exhausted and felt deeply isolated, "I'm so lonely and can't connect or trust anyone after those I loved and trusted most attacked me when I needed them most. Everyone talking about me and not to me has crushed my confidence and I just can't rebuild on such devastated foundations."

He said he tried to regain his self-worth by being there for others, adding, "I've changed lives even when I didn't want to go on living mine. I tried to regain my worth in this purpose, watching my Virtuous Savages break free from their limitations and flourish; a beautiful experience I'm so honored to have been a part of."

Craig clearly stated his wishes regarding how he wanted to be remembered and his views on performative grieving. "I do not want a funeral. At all. Cremate my body and throw the ashes in the sea. Also, please do not post about what a good guy I was or any of that nonsense. If you haven't been there for me the past few years, stole from me, finessed me or if I simply wasn't worth the effort alive, please don't pretend now. There's nothing worse than a traitors remorse."

He also urged those in similar pain to seek help. "Anyone thinking about hurting themselves please seek help. Don't copy me as you've no idea what I've been through. Those closest to me will be happy I found peace. Think about that."

Craig's final words were addressed to his dogs, "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 forever x. Until then, Ishkiran will look out for you. I am at peace now. Something I never found in life, but what a ride!"

Craig Ainsworth served in Afghanistan with the Royal Marines. After leaving the military, he began working in private security.

Craig once shared how he became a Marine in a 2014 interview. He said, "I had quite a feisty childhood. I come from a loving home, but growing up in north London, it's very rough and ready."

At 17, after the death of a close friend who was caught in a violent conflict, Craig nearly went down what he called "the dark side." He credited his mother with helping him change course.

She took him to Australia for several months to broaden his perspective and show him the world beyond London. He recalled, "By the time I came back, she basically promised me to sort of better myself and made me promise to go to university… If I got my degree, she'd support me in joining the Royal Marines."

He described his choice to join the elite force as being driven by a need to prove himself, "I wanted to be the best and I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder and I wanted to show the world what I was made of."

After serving in Afghanistan, Craig built a high-profile career in private security. According to Daily Mail, he worked with a U.S.-based security firm, Gavin De Becker, and was once hired to protect David and Victoria Beckham.

He also provided personal protection to several Hollywood celebrities, including Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lawrence, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In a November 2023 interview, Craig recollected details of his time working with David Beckham and Victoria Beckham. He praised the couple's dynamic and professionalism, describing the "Beckham" Netflix series as an accurate portrayal of their lives and how they handle fame "with such grace."

Speaking about their relationship, he said, "Who's in charge? I feel most women are in charge and just let us men feel like we're in charge half the time."

He added that the Beckhams were accustomed to working with security, "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."

Recalling their behavior during his time with them, he shared, "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."

In an October 21, 2024, Facebook post, he reflected on his time working with actor Tom Holland. "When I used to solve crime with the coolest of people. (Tom is a top lad; talented, and grounded, one of the best I had the privilege to work with)."

Craig's tragic passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends, fellow veterans, and public figures.

Royal Marine Dean Burchell shared a tribute on Facebook. "The Royal Marines lost another brother yesterday after a heart wrenching Facebook post from Craig Ainsworth. The RM family, friends and organisations 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."

Burchell added that veterans and serving personnel had gathered in his honor, "Today a group of veterans and serving members of the armed forces got together for a phys session at BodyWorld Plymouth whilst raising money for Rock2recovery… Remember any of you strugglign, reach out to the organizations that are there to help you and support [sic]."

Actress Louise George also penned a tribute for her beloved friend. "RIP Craig Ainsworth. 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."

She further expressed, "You were complex, brilliant, kind, chaotic, hilarious, wounded, wonderful…You really lived, Craig. Wild and free, curious and open-hearted. You gave so much, and felt so deeply."

Craig's life spanned military service, celebrity protection, mentorship, and deep emotional challenges. The messages shared after his passing reflect both the pain of his loss and the impact he had on those who knew him. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.