Harry Roy Veevers

Harry Roy Veevers (January 1949–14 February 2013) born in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, UK, was a British real estate and property tycoon who meade his wealth by investments in Mombasa, Kenya. His death in 2013 started a long time dispute lasting over a decade, as several people believed he was poisened. This led to an ongoing legal investigastion.

Early life and career

Born January 1949 and originaly 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 known investors in real estate.[1][2]

Death

Veevers died unexpectedly on 14 February 2013 at the age of 64 in Mombasa.[1][3] At first it was thought he died of heart attack and a stroke, as he was buried the next day according to Islamic rites.[3] This hasty burial caused tension within his family as his sons said they had no chance to see his body. This led to the suspect of poisoning.[4]

Allegations of poisoning

The hasty burial caused Veevers' two sons to address the court with a petition to exhume their fathers' body. An autopsy was then done in 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, in which 16 witnesses have testified. Among them were British and Kenyan forensic experts.[7] 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.[8]

Current events

Even though the 2024 ruling, in 2025 Veevers' body is still in the mortuary of the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, as no will was ever found stating Veevers' burial wishes and there is a dispute where he should be buried, in the UK as his sons want, or in Kenya as his wife and daughter want. Another issue in dispute is his inheritance which is pending in another court.[1][9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "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.
  2. ^ "10 years in a Mombasa morgue: The story of British tycoon Harry Roy Veevers". Daily Nation. 2024-02-08. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  3. ^ a b Lesak, Denis (2016-06-08). "British property tycoon 'fatally poisoned by his wife using pesticide' in Kenya, claim sons". Medium. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  4. ^ "Court Closes 11-Year Inquest Into Death Of Billionaire Harry Veevers". 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  5. ^ Bwana, Joackim. "Harry Roy Veevers death inquest: Tale of love, passion, poison and death". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "10 years in a Mombasa morgue: The story of British tycoon Harry Roy Veevers". Daily Nation. 2024-02-08. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  8. ^ "Kenya court says British tycoon's body too decomposed to determine cause of death". Yahoo News. 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
  9. ^ "A family at war and accusations of poisoning leave tycoon's body in limbo for 12 years". Yahoo News. 2025-08-16. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
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