AN ex-Royal Marine awaiting trial accused of spying on Hong Kong dissidents has been found dead in a park.
Matthew Trickett, 37, who fought the Taliban and Somali pirates, appeared in court last week.
The Home Office Immigration Enforcement officer was facing two charges under the National Security Act 2023.
He was due to appear alongside co-defendants Chung Biu Yuen and Chi Leung Wai at the Old Bailey on May 24.
Thames Valley Police have now confirmed he was found dead in Grenfell Park, in Maidenhead, Berks, on Sunday afternoon, The Times reports.
In a statement, Matthew’s family said: “We are mourning the loss of a much-loved son, brother, and family member.”
Matthew had been on bail subject to stringent conditions and his death is being treated as “unexplained”.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “At around 5.15pm on Sunday (19/5) officers attended Grenfell Park, Maidenhead, following a report from a member of the public.
“Formal identification has taken place and we can confirm the man is Matthew Trickett, aged 37, from Maidenhead.
“An investigation is ongoing into the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.”
Matthew served in the Marines between 2007 and 2013 but was working as an immigration enforcement officer and private investigator.
Chi Leung Wai, 38, also known as Peter Wai, is a UK Border Force officer – based at London Heathrow Airport – and a City of London Police Special Constable.
Retired police officer Yuen, also known as Billy Yuen, is an office manager of Hong Kong’s economic and trade office in London.
The trio were each charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and with foreign interference.
The charge relates to Hong Kong Economic Trade Offices (HKETO) outside the territory.
There are 14 of these outside Hong Kong and China, and seven in China.
The HKETO in London is an extension of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, part of the People’s Republic of China.
In addition to HKETOs, the Hong Kong Government has an office in China’s capital Beijing called the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing.
The charges followed an investigation involving the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command along with the North East and South East Counter Terrorism Policing Units.
Prosecutor Mr Kashif Malik emphasised this is “not a terrorism case” when the group appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court last Monday.
The three men were released on bail but subject to stringent conditions including curfews between 10pm-5am and reporting at relevant police stations.
They had to surrender their passports, not apply or be in possession of any international travel documents or enter any international travel hubs.
As part of the police investigation, a total of 11 people were detained under section 27 of the National Security Act.
Eight men and a woman were arrested by officers on May 1 in the Yorkshire area, before a man was arrested in London and another man was arrested in the Yorkshire area the following day.
The Met said seven men and one woman were released from custody on or before May 10.
Thames Valley Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as Matthew’s bail conditions meant he had prior contact with officers.
