Bertil Fox released from prison – Gary Strydom reveals more details.
Bertil Fox, was released from prison, 25 years after he was convicted for a double murder on 22 May, 1998.
On 30 September 1997, in St. Kitts and Nevis, 20-year-old beauty queen Leyoca Browne and her mother, 36-year-old Violet Browne, were fatally shot by Fox.
Fox, who previously had been engaged to Leyoca, was arrested and charged with the murders. On 22 May 1998, Fox was convicted of murder of the two women.
He was originally sentenced to death by hanging, but after an appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, his sentence was changed to life in prison.
The majority of bodybuilding historians and fans believed that Bertil Fox would remain in jail until his death, the news of his sudden release was truly shocking.
Bertil Fox was given a second chance in life, when on the 4th of August 2022, Fox was pardoned by the Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis after serving 25 years in prison, and is now a free man living in the UK.
Bertil Fox’s son, Shaun Fox, confirmed on Facebook that Bertil is now in the UK with family.
Bertil Fox The Bodybuilder
During the peak of his career, Bertil Fox was one of the biggest and strongest bodybuilders in the world.
Bertil won numerous titles with the AAU, NABBA and the IFBB during a bodybuilding career that lasted 25 years.
Bertil started his bodybuilding career with NABBA, winning titles such as the Junior and Senior Mr. Britian and the prestigious NABBA Mr. Universe.
Later on in his career, Bertil switched over to the IFBB where he would compete in various events, consistently placing in the top 10.
The best placing at the Mr. Olympia for Bertil Fox was at the 1983 Olympia, where he placed fifth. This was a controversial moment for Bertil, as he believed he should have been placed higher. Bertil eventually walked off the stage after being told to remain by Ben Weider.
According to Rick Wayne, Bertil was known to allegedly have a temper, and this would eventually ruin Bertil’s career and his entire life.
After walking away from the sport of bodybuilding in 1994, Bertil moved back to the Caribbean island of St. Kitts.
Bertil would start his new dream life by building a beautiful house and gym on the island.
Unfortunately, Bertil’s dream life would not last long as just three years after moving to the island, Fox was convicted of a double murder, and was sentenced to life in prison.
Gary Strydom reveals shocking details of double murder
Immediately after his release, numerous bodybuilding legends, that shared the same stage as Bertil Fox, celebrated his release from jail.
Bodybuilding superstar, Gary Strydom, was very close to Bertil Fox and he revealed some shocking details of what allegedly happened on the day of the double murder.
On a recent post on his official Facebook page, Gary Strydom published a number of posts about Bertil Fox after his release from prison.
It was evident that Strydom was very happy about the news of Bertil’s release from prison, but he also went on to reveal what he believes happened on the day of the murders.Gary Strydom could not hide his
Gary Strydom alleges the double murder was an accident
[Below is a part of the details published by Gary Strydom on Facebook, 8 august, 2022.]
“Bertil Fox Released: It almost made me cry today. We love you Bertil and those of you that didn’t know it was an accident. The gun was not his and a struggle ensued causing this “accident”.
“It wouldn’t have happened if she didn’t have a gun in her bag. What then happened was a lynching where the locals wanted retribution. Well they made him sit for 25 years.
“He was originally sentenced to death by hanging, but after an appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, his sentence was changed to life in prison.
“On the 4th of August 2022, Fox was pardoned by the Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis after serving 25 years and is now a free man living in the UK. Enjoy the rest of your life mate. The “few” of us that believed in you…We still do… God bless you and your family….”
Gary continued – “I am so happy for you and your family. I have been relatively quiet here on Facebook but this had to all be said so people can get just a small sample of what you went through.
“You were my idol when I first started training and then I was blessed to meet you, compete with you, train with you and get to know you. You were never credited enough for your awesome physique you one of the best of all time…
“The fortitude of a man is realized when pushed and you were pushed beyond just bodybuilding. MUCH RESPECT… now go on mate… ENJOY YOUR LIFE…!!!”
After reading his comments, Rick Wayne, who was also very close to Bertil Fox, told Strydom that his version of what happened is “One heck of a story.”
Gary immediately replied to Rick Wayne, “Rick Wayne, it’s not a story my friend. A pardon very rarely comes unless there is some credibility in the story.
“It was a corrupt prosecutor and local public pressure to make the English bodybuilder be the fall guy for this horrible accident. At worse it was manslaughter because it wasn’t his gun and it was at his business.
“Some people are incredibly unlucky because it could’ve happened to anyone of us. One day I will tell u the day the FBI tried something with me…when an ex girlfriend of mine was murdered…Long story. If you dig a bit you can find that story too…”
Gary was then asked to explain what happened by another reader. How can two people being shot be an accident?
“He (Bertil Fox) came to his business and his girlfriend and mother were in the process of trying to steal it from him.
“When he confronted them, the girlfriend tried to pull a handgun from her bag, a struggle ensued, and it went off killing the both of them. It was a terrible accident,” concluded Strydom.
Bertil Fox – Bodybuilding History
1969
Mr Britain – NABBA, Junior, 1st
1970
Mr Britain – NABBA, Junior, 1st
1971
Mr Britain – NABBA, Junior, 1st
Mr Europe, Junior, 1st
1976
Mr Britain – NABBA, Winner
Mr Europe, Overall Winner
Mr Europe, Medium, 1st
Mr Universe – NABBA, Medium, 2nd
Mr World – AAU, Most Muscular, 1st
Mr World – AAU, Winner
Mr World – AAU, Medium, 1st
1977
Mr Universe – NABBA, Overall Winner
Mr Universe – NABBA, Medium, 1st
1978
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Winner
1979
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Winner
1980
World Championships – WABBA, Professional, 2nd
1981
Grand Prix Belgium – IFBB, 5th
1982
Night of Champions – IFBB, 2nd
Olympia – IFBB, 8th
1983
Grand Prix Sweden – IFBB, 4th
Grand Prix Switzerland – IFBB, 2nd
Olympia – IFBB, 5th
1984
World Pro Championships – IFBB, 5th
1986
Olympia – IFBB, 7th
1987
Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 9th
Night of Champions – IFBB, 7th
Olympia – IFBB, 12th
1989
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 6th
Grand Prix Melbourne – IFBB, 6th
Olympia – IFBB, 11th
World Pro Championships – IFBB, 5th
1992
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 16th
Pittsburgh Pro Invitational – IFBB, 9th
1994
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 13th
