Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
Friends of a British artist found shot dead in Bulgaria apparently by his girlfriend’s estranged husband have launched a crowdfunding page to bring the 54-year-old man’s body back to the Scottish Borders.
The body of Andy Forsythe, who came from the village of Ancrum in the Borders area of Scotland, was found in the Bulgarian capital Sofia on 15th August.
The artist’s loved ones are trying to raise enough money to bring his body to his home village for burial.
According to the fundraising page, the artist had been living in Sofia for much of the past year.
The main suspect in the case, believed to be the ex-husband of the woman he was living with in Sofia, has apparently fled the country.
On the crowdfunding page, the British victim’s family said that he had a “big and generous heart” who freely gave up his time “to help others”.
The campaign description says: “Our friend Andy Forsythe was shot and killed in Bulgaria. He was found on Saturday 15th August and we are seeking help in returning his body to the Scottish Borders.
“He brought joy to many through his writing and his art. A man of honest principles; a man possessed of great wit and a keen mind. A good man.
“Andy had a thirst for knowledge of the world and of himself. His curiosity took him from Scotland to Turkey and then Bulgaria. He had been living for much of the past year in its capital city, Sofia.”
The victim’s two daughters Hayley and Jessie live in Canada with their mother Heather MacIntyre-Forsythe.
The JustGiving campaign aims to raise 8,000 GBP to “cover the expenses arising from this tragedy” and has almost reached its target.
The page said: “Andy’s wish was that when the time came he would be laid to rest in Ancrum, the village in the Scottish Borders where he grew up.”
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