Camilla’s gun guard shoots himself dead
THE Duchess of Cornwall was said to be “deeply upset” yesterday after one of her police bodyguards apparently committed suicide at his home.
Sergeant Richard Fuller, 55, head of security at Camilla’s country mansion in Wiltshire, is believed to have blasted himself to death with a shotgun.
The officer, who was married with three children, was a popular member of the force and was highly regarded by the Duchess and her staff.
Last night a police investigation was attempting to discover the truth behind the tragedy. It is understood the shotgun was Sgt Fuller’s own, not a police-issue weapon.
The officer, who was coming up to retirement, was reportedly happy, with no obvious problems which could possibly explain why he might want to take his life.
Sgt Fuller, commended for bravery in 1995 for arresting a gunman who was threatening to shoot a colleague, was found dead at his thatched cottage in Bremhill, near Calne, Wiltshire.
He leaves a widow, Jill, 45, two daughters, Jennifer, 21, and Stephanie, 18, as well as a 19-year-old son, Daniel, who is serving with the Army in Iraq.
The Duchess and Prince Charles were told of Sgt Fuller’s death while they were on board the yacht Leander on a tour of the Caribbean.
Clarence House said the Duchess “was very saddened”. A source close to Camilla said: “This is terrible news. She’s deeply shocked and upset.
“The Duchess had a good working relationship with him. She is upset for his wife and family.”
Sgt Fuller, one of Wiltshire’s most experienced firearms officers, was in charge of security at Ray Mill House, Camilla’s six-bedroom country home.
The Duchess bought the property, set in 27 acres, for £850,000 after her divorce from Andrew Parker Bowles in 1996. In 2006 it was the venue for a glittering reception following the marriage of her daughter Laura Parker Bowles to Harry Lopes.
The function, attended by Camilla, Charles, Princes William and Harry along with other Royals and VIPs, required a huge security operation in which Sgt Fuller played a vital role.
The property has round-the-clock security which costs the taxpayer £2.6million a year.
After Camilla bought it, security was upgraded on the advice of police and included a guardhouse with office and meeting rooms for bodyguards.
Staff at the estate were “shocked and upset” yesterday. Assistant Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “The officer was a highly regarded member of the force and will be sadly missed.”
Sgt Fuller had a 29-year career with the police and had been chief firearms officer at the Wiltshire HQ in Devizes. He was awarded his long service and good conduct medal in 2001. In 2006 he was cleared at Chippenham magistrates court of using unnecessary force in the arrest of a radio ham.
Neighbours of Sgt Fuller were shocked by his sudden death.
Fredrica Muir, a property manager in her 50s, described him as “very together”. She added: “He was the sort you’d go to for advice about practical things. He and Jill were lovely, competent, hard-working people.
“He was a showjumper and was into country pursuits. They kept horses and he taught clay pigeon shooting. His wife works in firearms licensing.
“Richard would have been perfect for protecting Camilla – very able and utterly discreet. I would never have thought he had sufficient problems or depression to kill himself. They had just finished building a fantastic extension to their cottage.”
