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The death of Matthew Trickett, an immigration officer accused of assisting the Hong Kong Intelligence Bureau, has not been treated as suspicious as police have said it was.
The 37-year-old former Royal Marine was found dead in the park along with Chi Leung (Peter) Wai, 38, and Cheong Biu Yuen, 63, after being released on bail from Westminster Magistrates’ Court last week.
Thames Valley Police said on Tuesday evening, following reports from a member of the public, that his body was discovered in Grenfell Park, Maidenhead, at around 5.15pm on Sunday.
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “A post-mortem examination was completed on Wednesday at the request of the Home Office coroner.”
“Following this and further investigations by detectives it can be confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. Thames Valley Police are currently preparing the paperwork for the coronial proceedings.”
“Mr Trickett’s family are being supported by specialist staff and we remain concerned for them. We would kindly ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.”
His family previously said: “We are mourning the loss of a beloved son, brother and family man.”
Mr Trickett’s lawyer, Julian Hayes, senior partner at Bellis law firm, said: “We are naturally shocked by the news and are supporting his family in any way we can.”
Locals said the popular park, near Maidenhead station in Berkshire, was bustling on Sunday.
“There were a lot of people here, kids everywhere. It was sunny, there were kids and there was a crime scene over there so it was a bit strange,” said Tatyana Dioniseva, 30.
Prosecutor Kashif Malik said at last week’s hearing that Trickett had attempted suicide after being charged and had requested to be detained for his own welfare.
Mr Trickett served with UK Border Force at Heathrow Airport before joining the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement Branch on 21 February 2024, and prior to that served in the Royal Marines Special Forces for six years. He was also a director of security company MTR Consultancy, which was set up in April 2021.
Mr Wai works as a border force officer at Heathrow Airport, while Ms Yuen works as a Hong Kong trade officer based in London.
The charges allege that between Dec. 20, 2023 and May 2, 2024, Yuen, Wai and Trickett agreed to engage in intelligence gathering, surveillance and deception that could materially assist a foreign intelligence service.
It is also alleged that on 1 May 2024 he carried out a forcible entry into a UK residence, making a reckless judgement as to whether a prohibited act, or a course of conduct forming part of a prohibited act, would have an obstructive effect.
A total of 11 people were arrested in an investigation by the Metropolitan police’s counter-terrorism unit and charged with breaching the National Security Act.
All three were released on bail and were due to next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.
In March, the government accused China of conducting cyber espionage against politicians and the electoral commission.
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in the UK previously said: “For some time now, the UK has been making a series of accusations against China, including of Chinese espionage and cyber attacks. All these accusations are baseless and slanderous.”
Following Trickett’s death, his regular attendance at police stations whilst on bail led to a compulsory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and the matter has now been handed over to Thames Valley Police’s Professional Standards Unit for investigation.
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