Harry Roy Veevers
Harry Roy Veevers | |
|---|---|
| Born | January , 1949 |
| Died | February 14, 2013 (aged 64) Mombasa, Kenya |
Cause of death | Possible poisoning with pesticide |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Dispute arising from his death |
| Children | 5 |
Harry Roy Veevers (January 1949–14 February 2013) was a British man who lived in Kenya. He was born in Bacup, Greater Manchester.
Harry Roy Veevers was a Joiner and Builder. He was a Director of Rochdale Developments Ltd. Caramc Ltd and owner of Veevers Building and Joinery.
In 2001, he liquidated his British assets and bought 3 properties in Nyali, Mombasa, Kenya.
His death in 2013 started a long dispute lasting over a decade, due to claims that he was fatally poisoned. This led to a lengthy legal investigation.
Early life and career
Born 17 January 1949 and originally from Bacup, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, Veevers was involved in real estate in Rochdale and Greater Manchester
Death
Veevers died unexpectedly on 14 February 2013 at the age of 64 in Mombasa.[1][3] At first it was claimed that he had died of heart attack and a stroke, as he was buried the next day according to Islamic rites. When in Fact he was a Christian.[3] The hasty burial caused tension within his family as his sons.
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]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 "Harry Roy Veevers: Why the body of a British tycoon has been in a Kenyan mortuary for 11 years". www.bbc.com. 2025-08-16. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- 1 2 "10 years in a Mombasa morgue: The story of British tycoon Harry Roy Veevers". Daily Nation. 2024-02-08. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- 1 2 Lesak, Denis (2016-06-08). "British property tycoon 'fatally poisoned by his ex partner using pesticide' in Kenya, claim sons". Medium. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ↑ "Court Closes 11-Year Inquest Into Death Of Billionaire Harry Veevers". 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ↑ Bwana, Joackim. "Harry Roy Veevers death inquest: Tale of love, passion, poison and death". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ↑ Laing, Aislinn (2015-10-21). "British property tycoon 'fatally poisoned by his wife using pesticide' in Kenya, claim sons". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ↑ "Harry Roy Veevers: Body too decomposed for cause of UK tycoon's death in Kenya to be determined". BBC News. 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
- ↑ "Harry Roy Veevers: Why the body of a British tycoon has been in a Kenyan mortuary for 11 years". BBC News. 2025-08-16. Retrieved 2025-12-01.