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Harry Roy Veevers
British businessman who died under suspicious circumstances From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Harry Roy Veevers (January 1949–14 February 2013) was a British real estate and property tycoon who made his wealth by investments in Mombasa, Kenya. He was born in Rochdale, Greater Manchester and then moved to Kenya where he made his fortune. His death in 2013 started a long dispute lasting over a decade, due to claims that he was fatally poisoned. This led to a currently ongoing legal investigation.
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Early life and career
Born January 1949 and originally from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, Veevers made his fortune through property development and real estate investments, mainly after shifting his business interests to Mombasa, becoming one of the Kenya's most well known investors in real estate.[1][2]
Death
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Veevers died unexpectedly on 14 February 2013 at the age of 64 in Mombasa.[1][3] At first it was thought that he had died of heart attack and a stroke, as he was buried the next day according to Islamic rites.[3] The hasty burial caused tension within his family as his sons said they had no chance to see his body. This led to allegations that he was poisoned.[4]
Allegations of poisoning
Due to concerns surrounding the death and burial, Veevers' two sons addressed the court with a petition to exhume their fathers' body. An autopsy was then performed in both Kenya and the United Kingdom, with unclear results. Several reports showed traces of the toxic pesticide cyhalothrin, while others showed no evidence at all.[5][6]
Investigation
The investigation of Veevers' death that began in 2013 went on for 11 years, during which 16 witnesses testified. Among them were British and Kenyan forensic experts.[2] In 2024, a Mombasa magistrate ruled that the cause of death could not be determined. The court cited advanced decomposition of the body, contradictions in forensic findings, and lapses in the chain of custody of evidence.[7]
Subsequent events
Despite the 2024 magistrate court ruling, by 2025 Veevers' body was still in the mortuary of the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, as no last will and testament was ever found stating Veevers' burial wishes. There continued to be a dispute where he should be buried, in the UK as his sons wanted, or in Kenya as his wife and daughters wanted. Another issue in the dispute was his inheritance which was still pending in another court.[1][8]
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References
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