Gibraltar police launch counter-terrorism investigation into sudden death of 32-year-old Telegraph journalist David Knowles

A counter-terrorism investigation has been launched into the sudden death of 32-year-old Telegraph journalist David Knowles in Gibraltar.

Knowles died on Sunday, September 8, of a “suspected cardiac arrest” while on holiday in the British overseas territory.

A team of detectives from the UK Counter-Terrorism Police have been tasked with “assisting the Royal Gibraltar Police’s investigation based on their existing skills and experience in dealing with international investigations”.

Knowles worked as a senior audio journalist and presenter for the Telegraph, where he rose to prominence after launching a podcast that shed light on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

READ MORE: Telegraph journalist David Knowles, 32, dies in Gibraltar: Many condolences for the “talented and popular” reporter

Justified Ukraine: Latestit won Best News Podcast at the Publisher Podcast Awards and has been downloaded nearly 100 million times.

According to Spotify, the show features a team of Telegraph journalists “covering military strategy, history, economics, the refugee crisis, Ukrainian culture and daily life in Vladimir Putin’s autocratic Russia and Volodymyr Zelensky’s democratic Ukraine.”

In a statement, the Royal Gibraltar Police said it is “currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of 32-year-old British national David Knowles on Sunday 8 September while on holiday in Gibraltar.”

“His Majesty’s Coroner in Gibraltar has been informed and an inquest is underway.

“Arrangements have been made for an autopsy to be performed today.

“A request has been made to the British police for ‘mutual aid’ assistance, although there are currently no specific concerns regarding the death.”

After the death of the highly respected journalist was announced at the weekend, numerous expressions of condolence poured in for him.

David’s father Peter said his son “loved life and lived it as best he could.”

READ MORE: ‘Gibraltar will not bat an eyelid’: Picardo issues battle cry ahead of national holiday as a Schengen border is closed and Spain says ‘we have extra time’ to reach an agreement

He added: “David’s commitment to journalism was enormous. He was never prouder than when he finally left his management job and reassumed a title with the word journalist in it. He was completely immersed in the story of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine and the impact on the population, making four trips to the country and always planning the next one.”

Chris Evans, editor of The Telegraph, said: “David was a talented and popular journalist, perhaps best known for helping to make our Ukraine podcast such a success. Before that, he was an impressive leader of our social media team.

“We would like to express our condolences to his family and friends.”

David studied at Durham University, where he obtained a first class degree in Theology, before gaining a Masters in Interactive Journalism from City, University of London.

After working at MailOnline, he moved to the Telegraph as deputy head of social media.

He rose through the ranks quickly and was promoted to senior audio journalist and presenter in June 2024.