Self-styled celebrity gangster Dave Courtney died without leaving a will and with no money to his name, official documents have revealed.
The 64-year-old, who built a public persona as a former underworld figure and actor, was found dead at his home in Plumstead, south-east London, on October 22, 2023. He had suffered a gunshot wound, and his body was discovered by friend and fellow actor David McGirr.
Courtney, who often claimed links to the notorious Kray twins, left behind no inheritance for his wife, Jenny Pinto - also known as Jenny Bean - or his two daughters.
Courtney was found with a gunshot wound at his home in Plumstead, south-east London, in the early hours of October 22, 2023. His body was discovered by friend and actor David McGirr.
Senior coroner Dr Julian Morris concluded after a short inquest in March this year that he took his own life.
Now, eight months on, it has emerged that Courtney did not make a will before his death, and documents have shown his estate was valued at £0.
The revelation that Courtney left no money to his family was confirmed in a Letter of Administration filed at London’s High Court - legal documentation required when a person dies without a will.
The registrar stated: “The application has stated that the gross value of the estate in the UK amounts to £0.”
Courtney’s wife, Jenny, was named as the administrator of the estate.
Despite this, official records suggest Courtney’s Plumstead home was sold for £500,000 in July 2024.
Following his death, it was reported that the gangster-turned-author had intended to leave up to 10 per cent of his estate to charity.
According to Metro, Courtney had planned to donate tens of thousands of pounds to the organisation Autistic Inclusive Meets (AIM), with funds expected to come from the sale of his personal belongings in an online auction.
At the inquest, Det Sgt James Robinson told the court about videos Courtney had made in the months before his death. In one of them he spoke about his rheumatoid arthritis and how he was "disguising a lot of pain".
Senior coroner Dr Julian Morris concluded after a short inquest that the 64-year-old took his own life.
"I'm having to hide the fact that I can't get up and down the stairs and in and out of the car and I'm not enjoying it at the moment," Courtney had said.
"That's really it. I don't want to go waste having a wicked life like I've had. Absolutely superb."
Anyone who has been affected by the issues raised in the article can call Samaritans for free on 116123.
