Ex-London gangster Dave Courtney's official cause of death after he died at home
Reformed gangster Dave Courtney took his own life just months after a previous attempt, an inquest into his death has found.
Three months before Mr Courtney shot himself, the inquest at Inner London South Coroner's Court was told he had attempted to kill himself after recording a five-minute video explaining his plan.
The day before he died he had seemed 'happy and chirpy' after watching his beloved Charlton beat Reading 4-0 with two friends. He was pictured watching Charlton Athletic FC in what he described as a "cool, cool day". The picture shows a grinning Courtney enjoying hospitality treatment in The Valley stadium.
He wrote on Facebook alongside the photo at 3.52pm on Saturday, October 21: "At Charlton today. Full works today three course meal and our man James company is sponsor for the game .... and what a cool cool day it's all turning out to be."
The trio had returned to Mr Courtney's home in Plumstead to watching England lose to South Africa in the semi final of the rugby World Cup. Detective Superintendent James Robinson told the hearing: "One of Dave's friends woke up at 3.30am to go to the bathroom. He could hear Mr Courtney on the phone but thought nothing of it."
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Dave Courtney died last month (Getty Images)Det Supt Robinson said at around 10.30am the next day, one of the friends, Brendan McGirr, 57, went into Courtney's room to ask if he wanted a cup of tea. He found him lying dead on his bed. As a filmmaker Courtney had collected up to 70 firearms, which had been decommissioned or fired blanks only, the court heard.
Eight videos, filmed in the early hours of 22 October, were found on Courtney's mobile phone. They showed Courtney saying goodbye to relatives including his son, daughter, and ex-wife, making clear his intentions.
He posted an image of himself the day before he died (Facebook)
Dave at the 'Dangerous Game' film premiere in 2017 (James Shaw/REX/Shutterstock)DS Robinson told the court: "It is my understanding that was a failed suicide attempt from July. In that he details a cancer diagnosis and details he was in severe pain with arthritis."
The 64-year-old, who was famously affiliated with London hardmen the Kray brothers, Roy Shaw and Lenny McLean, was found dead at his Camelot Castle home in Plumstead, southeast London, earlier this month. His family had previously revealed he had both cancer and arthritis, which became "too much" in his later years.
In a statement released by his family today, his loved ones recalled the title of his autobiography "Stop The Ride, I Want To Get Off" as they addressed his decision to die. They wrote in a statement: "On 22nd October 2023, Dave made the decision to 'stop the ride.' He had lived an incredible, colourful rock 'n' roll life in which he touched the hearts of so many.
Dave Courtney at the funeral of Ronnie Biggs in 2014 (FilmMagic)
He attended many trials (Alex Woods/REX/Shutterstock)"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. So, rather than be a burden to his family and friends, he chose to 'stop the ride' and take his own way out. In his own immortal words 'stop the ride, I want to get off'."
Mr Courtney first became infamous as a debt collector - who often wore a brutal knuckle-duster. He claimed he had been found not guilty in a whopping 19 different trials - but was once convicted of possessing live ammunition in January 2009.
The hard-nosed criminal later turned to acting when he assumed roles in a number of low-budget London gangster films - including Hell To Pay which produced, directed and starred in. Courtney acted in other films including Six Bend Trapp, Clubbing to Death and The Dead Sleep Easy. He is also said to have inspired Vinnie Jones's character Big Chris in the 1998 classic Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
He was cremated at a private ceremony on Tuesday, November 7, according to his family. In a statement they said: "As per Dave's final wishes, he was cremated at 1100 Tuesday 7th November in a private ceremony. Dave's family have been touched by the outpouring of love and support since his passing and are so thankful for everyone who has made contact."
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