32-year-old Darren Young died under mysterious circumstances as he was traveling through Asia
The family of Darren Young, a 32-year-old professional poker player from Kilmarnock, Scotland, is grappling with unanswered questions surrounding his death in the Philippines earlier this year. Young’s body was found in a luxury condo he rented in Manila, and his mother, Jackie Bain, believes foul play may be involved.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, Bain revealed that several personal belongings were missing from the scene, including Young’s wallet, watch, bank card, cash, and a collection of casino chips. “There were no signs of a struggle, but he had nothing with him,” Bain said, highlighting the inconsistency.
Young’s travels in Asia prior to his arrival in the Philippines included stops in Pakistan, China, Dubai, Cambodia, and Thailand. In Manila, he intended to supplement his income by playing poker regularly from his rented condo.
A troubling detail emerged from Young’s final hours. He reportedly messaged friends and family shortly before his death, expressing concern that his drink might have been tampered with. He suspected a local woman and an American gambler might be involved.
Authorities found Young’s body on his bed after his family became concerned due to a lack of communication. While the official cause of death was listed as bilateral pneumonia on the postmortem certificate, Bain disputes this explanation. “He never complained of being sick,” she stated. This discrepancy further fueled her suspicions.
A subsequent examination of Young’s body in Scotland cast further doubt on the initial cause of death. Medical professionals there have rejected pneumonia as the explanation. However, definitive answers may be elusive due to the body being embalmed before repatriation.
The Foreign Office is currently investigating the case in collaboration with Manila authorities. The presence of CCTV cameras in Young’s building remains unclear, and no suspects have been identified as of yet.
Young’s death has left his family with a devastating loss and a yearning for answers. The ongoing investigation may shed light on the circumstances surrounding his passing and hopefully bring some measure of closure.
