Dear All, thank you for your comments and observations. I think it is the right stage to flesh the story out a little now…..and please, I am not writing this to make it the David show
Dave and I used to speak most weekdays at some point. We shared similar views on politics and life! On Friday evening he rang me. Over the past few years Dave had battled constantly with his weight. He had tremendous willpower! But since his last significant weight loss he has put several stones on. I know that he was not happy about this.
Dave went to Host in Milan, staying with his long term friend, Paolo of ACS fame. He thinks that whilst working on the ACS stand on the first day he was approached by someone who had an infection and before he realised stood close, perhaps too close. The next day he started to feel unwell and spent the rest of his time under the weather. Dave told me on Friday gone that he felt that he was starting to recover a little. Dave was never happier than when offering advice though strangely reticent to receive it! He told me he still felt unwell but in a different way and that his heart was fluttering. I said Dave, if I told you that what would you say to me? For gods sake go and do something about it.
We did not speak over the weekend and on Monday morning I tried to ring him. On Monday afternoon Paolo contacted me to say he was worried, so I started digging. I could tell that he had logged off from Whatsap at 00.25 on Monday morning and there was no further forum or online prescence after that.
I researched how to request a welfare check and completed the online form. Then following emails from Paolo and @JammyDodger I dialled 999 and spoke to Surrey police. I requested help on the forum and @MWJB responded by driving to Dave's house. He took up the next bit of the story.
Around 11pm I received an email from the PC who was at Dave's house asking for my mobile. He rang me and explained no foul play was suspected and appreciated the fact that I could prove his online presence until 00.25. He was going off duty at midnight and was back on duty today at 10pm. He asked that we did not make the announcement as Dave's children had not been informed.
I received a phone call from Paul Loader who is another that I have known for too long! Apparently the police had made contact with Doreen, Dave's ex wife to break the news. Doreen in turn knew Paul and contacted him. Paul very kindly rang me to see if I was up to speed. I asked him if he was able to give Doreen my contact information so as she could speak to me if needed. Doreen rang me three times this morning and I was able to help her with a couple of things. The last call was to confirm that she had informed Sophie & James meaning that Patrick could make the statement the forum needed.
That is the nuts and bolts of what happened. I believe this is going to the Coroner to ascertain a cause of death. I have tried to keep this short and to the point. I will visit the other thread shortly.
Thank you to everyone for your messages of support and especially to @MWJB & @PaulL & @Paolo_Cortese
If I have missed anyone out, I apologise!