'Our dad has been murdered': Oldham charity worker killed after being mugged by two men trying to steal phone
A British charity worker has been killed in Africa after being mugged by two men trying to steal his phone.
Jeff Cantwell, 79, had been living in Brusubi, located near the western coast of The Gambia, since 2012. He had left his compound between 7 - 8 pm to meet some friends at a restaurant on Sunday November 23 when two men jumped him, according to his family.
Friends thought something was wrong when Jeff, from Oldham, Greater Manchester hadn't arrived and wasn't picking up his phone. They then went to his house where they found him injured but still alive but sadly died upon arrival to the hospital, Jeff's family have said.
The family was informed of his passing through one of his friends. At the time of his death he was working with a variety of charities on different projects, including finding sponsorship for school uniforms and arranging medical supplies for hospitals in remote areas.
He had only just returned to The Gambia at the beginning of October from a six-month trip to the UK to see his family, who are based in Hollinwood, Oldham. Jeff's heartbroken daughter Janine Cantwell, 52, said: "Yesterday we got a message from one of my dads friends in Gambia that my dad had passed away.
"This was quite a shock as he only went back to Gambia on the October 1st after being with me for six months but what is more shocking and upsetting is that he had been attacked. He left his house between 7-8 pm and outside his compound he was jumped by two men for his phone.
"His friend who my dad was meeting thought something was wrong as my dad had not turned up and was not answering the phone. They went to my dad’s and found him he was still alive and managed to tell what had happened sadly he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
"We don't know the full story yet I have been in contact contact with the foreign office but they don't know any more at the moment. I have even spoke to the Inspector of CID in Gambia where they have opened an investigation, to me and to my family 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 but what I know of my dad he would have fought back. I will hopefully be travelling to Gambia next week to make funeral arrangements I know it will be a struggle as right now we are full of hurt, anger and a feeling of being in limbo and lost but we will get through it."
Danielle Egerton, 32, has set up a GoFundMe campaign for her mother-in-law, Janine Cantwell, to raise money to bring his body back to the UK. Danielle has told how it could cost them up to £10,000 to bring him home - she also said they have to pay a fee each day Jeff's body is kept in the morgue.
Jeff had two other sons, Mark and Andy, as well as three grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They are hoping to raise funds for Janine to travel to Gambia and bring home her father’s body.
Danielle said that the family are also facing mounting costs while his body remains in the morgue. Speaking on behalf of the family, Danielle said that everyone is “absolutely heartbroken” by Jeff’s death.
She said that the family has very little information about what happened to Jeff and are finding out “a bit more every day”. She said: “They just can’t believe that it’s happened. He always loved it there, it’s where he was his happiest.
"I have looked online and it says it can cost between £3,000 and £10,000 to bring him home. But will won't know about the full cost until Janine can visit the country."
Danielle says Janine is set to fly to The Gambia next Wednesday (Dec 3). Janine says that they have contacted the Gambian police, who have launched an investigation. This has also been reported by the local press.
Janine has also contacted the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, but has not received any further information. An FCDO Spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in The Gambia and are in contact with the local authorities.”
You can donate to the GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeff-cantwell