Death of soldier in Wales linked to Gibraltar

UPDATE: Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar has received the news of the passing of Private Matthew Boyd with deep regret and sorrow.

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo QC, said on May 9  ‘On behalf of the Government of Gibraltar extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Private Boyd. This morning I met personally with the Commanding Officer of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and was able to express to him my sympathies. Our thoughts are with Private Boyd’s family and friends at this difficult time.’

In the early hours of May 8, an unconscious man said to be in civilian clothes was discovered in the streets of Brecon in Wales, and after being taken to a local hospital, despite all attempts to revive him, he eventually died of his injuries.

Subsequent to this a 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and the Ministry of Defence released the following statement: “It is with great sadness and regret that the MoD can confirm a soldier from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment died in Brecon in the early hours of this morning.

“Dyfed-Powys Police are currently investigating, and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further on the circumstances.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and the regiment asks that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.”

Although the dead soldier has not been named, it is understood that his family has been notified, and Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has tweeted his shock and sadness at the news.

Although police investigations are ongoing, there is currently no suggestion that the death was motivated by political or terror-related reasons.