{"id":132564,"date":"2023-10-23T14:11:08","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T14:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluemull.com\/?p=132564"},"modified":"2023-10-23T14:11:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T14:11:08","slug":"dave-courtneys-health-battle-revealed-as-family-say-ex-gangster-decided-to-stop-the-ride-before-taking-his-own-life-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluemull.com\/world-news\/dave-courtneys-health-battle-revealed-as-family-say-ex-gangster-decided-to-stop-the-ride-before-taking-his-own-life-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Dave Courtney\u2019s health battle revealed as family say ex-gangster decided to \u2018stop the ride\u2019 before taking his own life | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

REFORMED gangster Dave Courtney took his own life after deciding to "stop the ride", his family said today.<\/p>\n

The flamboyant former crime kingpin, 64, was found dead at his South London home yesterday.<\/p>\n


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His family today said he had lived an "incredible" life but couldn't cope with the "pain" of living the lifestyle he chose.<\/p>\n

They also revealed Dave had struggled with cancer and arthritis in his later years and said it was time "to get off".<\/p>\n

A family statement given to The Sun read: "On 22nd October 2023, Dave made the decision to \u2018stop the ride.\u2019<\/p>\n

"He had lived an incredible, colourful rock \u2019n\u2019 roll life in which he touched the hearts of so many.<\/p>\n

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"The physical pain of living the lifestyle he chose, especially due to the pain of both cancer and arthritis in his later years, became too much.<\/p>\n

"He chose to \u2018stop the ride\u2019.<\/p>\n

"In his own immortal words \u2018stop the ride, I want to get off\u2019."<\/p>\n

An acquaintance told The Sun the former gangster had been suffering from bowel cancer.<\/p>\n

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Dave Courtney found dead in bed after shooting himself in head with pistol<\/h3>\n

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They said: "He could not take the pain anymore."<\/p>\n

The Liverpool man, who often visited Dave's home, said it was an eccentric address to say the least.<\/p>\n

They added: "He had all these replica firearms and other weapons which he hired out to film companies."<\/p>\n

Dave had claimed Brad Pitt once stayed the night at his home when he was in the UK filming gangster flick Snatch.<\/p>\n

His death came just hours after he spent the day with friends watching Charlton \u00adAthletic\u00a0thump\u00a0Reading\u00a04-0 in a\u00a0League One\u00a0match.<\/p>\n

The flamboyant former crime kingpin, who wrote six books and appeared in films and documentaries, shared snaps on\u00a0Facebook.<\/p>\n

One pal said: \u201cThey stayed up until 4am drinking and went to bed. At around 11am his lodger and friend Brendan went to look in Dave\u2019s bedroom because it was very quiet.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first impression was that he had taken his own life. But the police have to be certain and are investigating.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Dave's Plumstead home became famous locally and was nicknamed Camelot Castle due to its appearance.<\/p>\n

Inside, huge murals showed him wearing armour and sitting astride a war horse.<\/p>\n

Teary neighbour Sheila Wellcome, 68, told The Sun: \u201cI saw Dave at around 8pm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew Dave was in a lot of pain from terrible arthritis. He could barely roll a cigarette.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he seemed in good spirits. I passed him a cigarette over the wall and he was laughing and joking.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said\u00a0Dave\u00a0owned around 12 decommissioned firearms.<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cPolice used to come round and check on them occasionally. To Dave, they were just ornaments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Market trader pal Chris Collins, 52, laid flowers at the scene.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cThe world is a worse place today having lost Dave.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had the scariest phone book this side of the moon, let me tell you \u2014 but he was an absolute \u00adgentleman. He didn\u2019t want to miss out on a minute of life. He was frightened of missing out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave is rumoured to be the inspiration behind Vinnie Jones\u2019s character in Guy Ritchie\u2019s gangster film Lock, Stock, And Two Smoking Barrels.<\/p>\n

He claimed to have links with gangland legends such as\u00a0Reggie Kray\u00a0and\u00a0Lenny McLean\u00a0\u2014 and organised security at Ronnie Kray\u2019s funeral in 1995.<\/p>\n

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But Essex Boys associate\u00a0Bernard O\u2019Mahoney\u00a0and\u00a0Frankie Fraser, a former member of the feared\u00a0Richardson gang\u00a0of the 1960s, accused Courtney of fabricating and embellishing his past.<\/p>\n

The Metropolitan Police said the death is currently being treated as unexpected and is under investigation.<\/p>\n


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You’re Not Alone<\/h3>\n

EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.<\/p>\n

It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.<\/p>\n

It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.<\/p>\n

And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.<\/p>\n

Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.<\/p>\n

That is why\u00a0The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.<\/p>\n

The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.<\/p>\n

Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others…\u00a0You're Not Alone.<\/p>\n

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:<\/p>\n