Tragic End for British Charity Worker in The Gambia
A 79-year-old British grandfather, who had dedicated his later years to charitable work in Africa, has been tragically killed during a mugging in The Gambia. Jeff Cantwell, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was attacked by two men who tried to steal his phone on Sunday evening.
A Life Dedicated to Service Cut Short
Jeff Cantwell had been living in Brusubi, near The Gambia's western coast, for more than a decade. He was on his way to meet friends at a restaurant when the assailants jumped him. Concerns were raised when he failed to arrive and could not be reached on his phone.
Friends who went to his home discovered him with serious injuries. He was rushed to a local hospital but died shortly after admission.
Mr Cantwell had been deeply involved with various African charities, working on projects that included finding sponsorship for school uniforms and arranging crucial medical supplies for hospitals in remote areas. He had only just returned to The Gambia on October 1st after spending six months in the UK with his family in Hollinwood, Oldham.
A Family's Heartbreak and the Fight for Answers
His devastated daughter, Janine Cantwell, 52, received the shocking news from one of her father's friends. She described the mixture of shock and profound upset upon learning her father had been attacked.
"We don't know the full story yet," Ms Cantwell said. "Our dad has been murdered and we have no answers apart from shock. They assaulted and mugged a 79-year-old man that ended up killing him."
The family is now facing the difficult task of repatriating Mr Cantwell's body to the UK. His daughter-in-law, Danielle Egerton, 32, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs, which could be as high as £10,000.
Ms Egerton explained that the family is charged a daily fee for his body to remain in the morgue and that funds are also needed for Janine to travel to The Gambia to make funeral arrangements. She is scheduled to fly out next Wednesday.
Speaking on behalf of the grieving family, Ms Egerton said everyone is "absolutely heartbroken." She added, "They just can't believe that it's happened. He always loved it there, it's where he was his happiest."
Jeff Cantwell leaves behind three children, three grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Ongoing Investigations and Official Response
The Gambian police have launched an investigation into the murder, which has also been reported in the local press. The family has been in contact with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
An FCDO spokesperson confirmed: "We are supporting the family of a British man who died in The Gambia and are in contact with the local authorities."
As the investigation continues, a family is left in mourning, grappling with a sudden and violent loss far from home.
