Police in Gibraltar have announced they are investigating the sudden death of Telegraph journalist David Knowles while he was on holiday on Sunday.
Knowles, who was 32, died of a “health emergency” which was a suspected cardiac arrest according to The Telegraph.
Royal Gibraltar Police said on Thursday it is “investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death” of Knowles although it added that “there are no specific concerns at this time with regard to the death”.
UK counter terrorism police are providing support with the investigation.
Update: Royal Gibraltar Police said on Friday a post-mortem exam has been carried out and there “continue to be no specific concerns surrounding the cause of death” although the “results will take some time to be processed”.
It added that detectives supported by counter terrorism colleagues “continue to progress their investigation”.
Knowles was well-known for launching and presenting The Telegraph’s Ukraine: The Latest daily podcast at the start of the Russian ground invasion in February 2022.
He was previously deputy and head of social media as well as head of audio development at the title, and previously worked on the social media teams at Mail Online and the World Economic Forum.
The Telegraph set up an online book of condolences for Knowles which has received contributions totalling more than 90,000 words.
Ukraine: The Latest was shortlisted for the Innovation of the Year award at the British Journalism Awards 2022 and this year was named the Best News Podcast at the Publisher Podcast Awards.
In its obituary, The Telegraph said Knowles was “known and cherished by a huge number of listeners all over the world for his dedicated work presenting the Telegraph’s award-winning Ukraine podcast; a naturally gifted broadcaster, he was a reassuringly authoritative presence who never pushed his own personality into the foreground, even though he felt deeply about the fate of the Ukrainian people”.
Telegraph editor Chris Evans said: “David was exuberant and innovative. He was passionate about the cause of the Ukrainian people and their attempts to repel the Russian aggressor. Without his enthusiasm, the Ukraine podcast would not have been half as successful. He was also a gentle, sensitive man who inspired deep affection among his colleagues.”
Knowles was last year added to a list of people banned from entering Russia, alongside many other UK journalists.
The full Royal Gibraltar Police statement about the death of David Knowles said: “The Royal Gibraltar Police is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of 32 year British National David Knowles on Sunday 8th September, whilst holidaying in Gibraltar.
“His Majesty’s Coroner in Gibraltar has been informed and a Coroner’s investigation is underway. Next of kin for the deceased have been informed and a specialist RGP family liaison officer has been appointed. Arrangements have been made for a post-mortem examination to be conducted today.
“A policing ‘mutual aid’ request for specialist support was submitted to UK policing, although there are no specific concerns at this time with regard to the death.
“Following the RGP’s mutual aid request, detectives from UK Counter Terrorism Policing have been appointed to provide support to the RGP investigation, due to their existing capability and their experience of dealing with international enquiries.
“The RGP will not be making further comment at this time regarding any aspect of the investigation.”
The full follow-up statement reads: “The Royal Gibraltar Police can confirm that the post-mortem examination of the late David Knowles was completed yesterday afternoon at St Bernard’s Hospital, and there continue to be no specific concerns surrounding the cause of death, albeit that the post-mortem examination results will take some time to be processed.
“RGP detectives supported by Counter Terrorism Policing colleagues continue to progress their investigation, and any further updates will be provided at the appropriate time.”
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