MISSING JOURNALIST’S BODY FOUND AT ANGKOR

A journalist and screenwriter and former member of a British anti-terrorist unit, who went missing in Cambodia ten weeks ago, has been found dead near the Gate of Death at the country’s ancient Angkor temple complex.

The body of 58-year-old Canadian David Walker was eerily discovered outside Angkor Thom’s ‘Death Gate’ by a child who alerted his parents who notified police.

Although it has been impossible to tell from the state of the body exactly how David Walker died, a statement made on behalf of the family clearly implied he was murdered and called on whoever was responsible for his death be brought to justice

Indeed the Gate of Death is so named because outside this gate is where the bodies of people executed were buried. The location may well be symbolic.

Officials of the Australian Embassy, who represent Canadian interests in Cambodia, have been informed as have the Australian Federal and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

A doctor who examined the body at the scene was unable to detect the cause of death because of the decomposition of the body. A pathologist has been called from Bangkok.

An Australian Federal Police officer is going to the scene to assist the Cambodian National Police and Australian officers are liaising with Captain Sok Houng of the Cambodian Immigration Police.

Dave at the Madrid Bar in Bangkok – Picture:Tom Rowsell

The historic Khmer temple site was made even more famous as the major location for the Angela Jolie film ‘Tomb Raiders’ shortly after dawn.

Police will have to examine investigators suspicions that he was murdered somewhere else and his body late dumped at the temple.

Walker from Edmonton, Alberta, served with the controversial  British Army 14th Intelligence Company in Northern Ireland. This unit and Captain Robert Nairac later linked to the infamous attack by the UVF on the ‘Miami Showband’ but Walker was not in the unit at the time. Nairac was later assassinated by the IRA.

Walker made his name as a screen-writer and ‘fixer’ for film and television companies including a documentary on ‘sweatshops’ with the BBC’s investigative journalist Sue Lloyd Roberts and was also the co-author of a book ‘Hello My Big Big Honey’ about Thai bar girls’ relationships with their western boyfriend/clients.

Together with a Cambodian colleague Sonny Chhoun he ran a company in Cambodia called ‘Animist Farm Films’.  They were making a film about the charitable works of a former Khmer Rouge soldier.

The Khmer Rouge were responsible for Cambodia’s ‘Killing Fields’.

Walker had not been seen since leaving the Green Village Angkor Guest House in Siem Reap, 11 kilometres away on February 14th.

He left leaving everything in his room including his mobile phone telling the maid to make the room up while he went out.

The Canadian Government has been severely criticized by friends of Walker for doing nothing in his case.

They claim that a consular official who visited from Bangkok, refused to take charge of his possessions and left without even meeting his business partner Sonny Chhoun.

A statement  issued on behalf of Tammy Wallbridge-Madon, his cousin read: “Dave Walker’s family asks that the Cambodian authorities continue their efforts to determine the cause of Dave’s disappearance and death and Dave’s family and loved ones request that the Canadian government begin now to formally investigate, in order to move forward and bring those who were responsible for Dave’s senseless death to justice.”   

Death Gate

Dear All,

The family, friends, and many loved ones of Dave Walker are deeply saddened that Dave was found dead today, May 1, at the Angkor Wat temples in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

He had been missing since he disappeared from his residence under very disturbing circumstances in Siem Reap on February 14 this year.  

Dave Walker’s family wants to thank the Cambodian Siem Reap Provincial Immigration Police for their professional cooperation and efforts, in particular when Dave’s body was found near the Victory gate entranceway at the Angkor Wat temples late this morning.

The site where his body was discovered was secured by Cambodian authorities and, at the request of Dave’s family, a senior medical doctor from Siem Reap went to the site to do a professional examination of Dave’s body to determine the proper procedures to follow to determine the cause of his death.

The doctor, after a professional examination, concluded he could not determine the cause of death and recommended a specialist pathologist be brought in to determine the cause and circumstances of Dave’s death and that an autopsy be performed.

Cambodian law enforcement officials from the Siem Reap provincial Immigration police, whose cooperation is appreciated by the family of Dave Walker, secured the scene and said it appeared that Dave died several weeks ago. A pathologist is being brought in to confirm forensics and a medical autopsy will be arranged to attempt to determine the cause and time of Dave’s death.

Dave’s body was reportedly discovered by a Cambodian child and the Cambodian police have secured the area, pending further investigation.

Dave lived a remarkable life and was loved by many thousands around the world. We want to thank the Cambodian people for the love they have shown Dave that was equal to the nearly 30 years of love Dave devoted to Cambodia and it’s people.

Many thousands of Cambodians, as did Dave, died under senseless and tragic circumstances. Dave devoted his life to bring to justice those responsible for the deaths of more than 2 million Cambodian in the 30 years he worked and lived in that country.

Dave Walker’s family asks that the Cambodian authorities continue their efforts to determine the cause of Dave’s disappearance and death and Dave’s family and loved ones request that the Canadian government begin now to formally investigate, in order to move forward and bring those who were responsible for Dave’s senseless death to justice.  

The family requests that their privacy be respected and that people respect the investigation into the circumstances and causes of Dave Walker’s death.