AN investigation was under way today into the circumstances surrounding the death of a Felixstowe man who died suddenly in Africa.Richard Craft, 46, was discovered dead in the East African country of Tanzania last month but it has emerged that despite two post mortems it remains unclear how he came to his death.
AN investigation was under way today into the circumstances surrounding the death of a Felixstowe man who died suddenly in Africa.
Richard Craft, 46, was discovered dead in the East African country of Tanzania last month but it has emerged that despite two post mortems it remains unclear how he came to his death.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said authorities in Tanzania, a country of 38million people bordered by several countries including Kenya and Rwanda, had told UK officials that Mr Craft had died from asphyxiation.
However a pathologist carrying out a post mortem in Suffolk on the body's return has been unable to determine the precise cause of death.
The Foreign Office spokesman said there had been a full investigation by the Tanzanian police but they did not deem the death “suspicious”.
The spokesman said the Foreign Office had not been made aware of the circumstances of Mr Craft's death, which is believed to have happened on July 7.
An inquest will now be held in Suffolk in an attempt to get to the bottom of what happened, although it is unclear whether further tests are required to establish an exact cause of death.
A spokesman for Suffolk Coroner's Office said: “There has been a post mortem carried out in this country but the cause of death has not been ascertained.”
It is believed Mr Craft had been working in Tanzania.
His funeral will take place at 1pm on Monday at St John the Baptist church, Felixstowe, more than a month after he died.
His father Nigel Craft, of Faulkeners Way, Trimley St Mary, a former senior manager at the Port of Felixstowe, said the family were very upset at the loss.
A personal announcement from the family said Mr Craft would be “greatly missed by so many family, friends and colleagues”.
Would you like to pay tribute to Mr Craft? Contact the Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.
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