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Family accept Belfast journalist took his own life in Zimbabwe
Thursday, 31 July 2008
enlargeThe family of an award-winning Northern Ireland photojournalist who died in Zimbabwe have said that they accept that he took his own life.
Richard Mills — older brother of local BBC television reporter Tara Mills — was said by the Zimbabwean authorities to have died of asphyxiation by hanging.
Mr Mills (42) and a female colleague had been working undercover for The Times newspaper in the volatile African country when tragedy struck on July 14.
In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph shortly after hearing the tragic news, Mr Mills’ father, also called Richard (69), said they refused to accept that he had killed himself, adding that it was “incomprehensible” and “totally out of character”.
But in a statement issued today, the family said that having considered the circumstances surrounding the fatality, they believed it was suicide.
“Having had the chance to examine in detail the circumstances surrounding Richard’s death we are now reconciled to the fact that he did indeed take his own life,” it read.
“We acknowledge that the amount of suffering and extreme hardship he witnessed at first hand in many harrowing situations throughout the world proved too much for him to bear.”
The renowned front-line lensman, who had worked on assignments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, had been due to leave Zimbabwe the day after he died.
Tributes have poured from friends and colleagues across the world following the news of his death.
Among them was Martin Fletcher, former foreign editor of The Times, who described the father-of-one as a ‘wonderful, warm, funny, big-hearted man’, who was ‘like no other photographer I have ever worked with’.
Mr Mills was laid to rest on Tuesday after a funeral service at Roselawn Cemetery in Belfast.
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32 Comments
I Used to room with Richie for 2years when we were stationed at RAF High wycombe. The man was a Pure Gentleman and a very good friend to all of his mates at RAF High Wycombe. His favorite saying was ' You Now What It Is '
RIP Mate from
Woody, Gaz Owen, Snelly, Tommy, Qinny, Si Weston, Daz Smith, Graham Lylie & Boyce
Posted by woody | 02.03.09, 06:59 GMT
just got to grips with technoloy. richard was my best mate at school. friday nights at shane park. history lessons with mr hawthorn. zimbabwe took you and broke our hearts. one love.
Posted by Stuarty McGimpsey | 19.01.09, 00:19 GMT
Ritchie rang me from Zimbabwie in July full of excitement about a book he was producing, he spoke of our time together at RAF Bruggen and that he was missing Finn and Zoe and just wanted to be home with them; we also chatted about his sister Tara (he was so proud of her) and his Father Richard and h is amateur dramatics, he was upbeat but sounded lonely there was no indication in his voice to suggest what happened. I remember Ritchie attempting to teach me maths (simulations equations) when we served together in Germany, his patients with my slow understanding of the subject was wonderful and his light-hearted manner made the learning process so much fun, we joked about it when we last spoke. Ritchie Mills was a very special person and will be deeply missed by all who served and worked with him. God Bless you Ritchie. Per Ardua Ad Astra.
Posted by Dave Bassett | 09.09.08, 13:49 GMT
To the friends and Family of my friend Richard( may his soul rest in peace,
I have worked with Richard in Afghanistan. We were together during the elections of 2004 and also in december 2007. I met him first when he came to interview me in Afghanistan as the Program Manager for Demobilization of Underaged Soldiers in Afghanistan and we became friends.
For me and all his friends in Afghnistan his death is a shock. We can never beleive that a man like Richard can ever think of doing so. He was a person full of life. He enjoyed every minute of it; and I have never seen him depressed. The last time we were together, we went to see the refugees near the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul. The kids there had swolen feet due to intense cold and some had also lost their lives. We spent all the our money and bought them shoes. I can not forget when he gave his own coat to an old man and he started shavering with cold.Mr. Richard had also talked to his friends in UK and tried to help afterwards.
Posted by M. Yousuf Ghaznavi | 30.08.08, 11:48 GMT
I also went to Newtownbreda High with Richard and stumbled upon this sad news on Wikipedia. I suppose I hadn't seen him in around 20 years but was unsurprised to hear he had reached the top of his field. Millsey was like that....focused and passionate. One small consolation is that part of him will live on in the body of work he left for us all.
Vale Millsey.
Posted by Colin Boreland, Melbourne | 04.08.08, 00:11 GMT
Last December I had the pleasure of meeting Richard when he was working in Colorado. Albeit a brief time, Richard left an indelible impression. Richard was a force of life and undoubtedly like anyone who spent even 5 minutes with him, I was dismayed, troubled, and so saddened to learn of his passing. He was so proud of his family, his work, and his height! My warmest sympathies to his family and friends. Let us all raise a pint to Richard!
Posted by Kristen H. Cook | 02.08.08, 17:08 GMT
My thoughts go out to Ritchie's family at this sad time. He taught me the craft of capturing imagery and I will never forget his patience and enthusiasm for the job. He will be sadly missed.
Posted by Sergeant Vince Roberts | 02.08.08, 16:54 GMT
I am deeply saddened by this news. I met Richard while he was covering a story in the States about amputee soldiers returned from Afghanistan and Iraq. His enthusiasm for life and his compassion for others were remarkable. I am so very sad for his family and for all of us who gained a glimpse into the harsh realities of conflict through his photographs. My thoughts and deepest sadness are with his family who should know what a wonderful ambassador Richard was for Northern Ireland.
Posted by Katherine Spicer | 01.08.08, 23:38 GMT
Our thoughts are with Richie's family at this sad time. He had a great talent and will be sadly missed for that and for his sense of humour and larger than life personality. Jonny Boy and Jilly Molyneux.
Posted by Jon Molyneux, Lincolnshire | 01.08.08, 11:23 GMT
I have been fortunate to have known and worked with Richard as colleague and friend. He and his talent will be greatly missed. My and my wife's thoughts are with his family. Gordy & Becs Elias
Posted by Gordy Elias | 31.07.08, 19:49 GMT
I went to primary school with Tara but i knew both Richard and his other sister Pat as well and have fond childhood memories of all three of them. I only found out about this travesty today and am greatly saddened by the news. My thoughts go out to the Mills family. Stuart McGall
Posted by Stuart McGall, Comber | 30.07.08, 01:16 GMT
Richie was a gifted photographer when we worked together at RAF Wittering in the 90's. He carried his talent into civvy street and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
My thoughts are with his family.
Posted by Al King, Chelmsford | 29.07.08, 23:27 GMT
I am Shocked to hear of the death of the son of my old and dear friends, Richard and Pat Mills.The truth must be uncovered.
Roy Larmour, BBC London.
Posted by Roy Larmour | 29.07.08, 19:14 GMT
So so sorry to hear of Richard's death, always followed and have taken interest in his work, marvelling that such talent was exercised - no point in having something and not using it. He used and shared his qualities - sincerest condolences to wife, son and family circle.
Posted by Hazel Hunter | 29.07.08, 11:52 GMT
thats saddening .....i am very very sorry to the family
Posted by carrington chawasarira | 29.07.08, 11:01 GMT
I'm totally shocked by the news and find it hard to accept the official verdict. Richard was one of the most generous, happy and warm hearted blokes I have met. My sympathy to his family.
Posted by John Baker | 29.07.08, 08:33 GMT
I would like to send my condolences and deepest sympathy to the Mills family in Belvoir Park and to Richards wife and young son in Scotland. I grew up with Richard on the Belvoir housing estate in Belfast were we attended Belvoir Park Primary School together and then onto Newtownbreda High School. Richard was a true gentleman and great competitor as anyone who knew him will testify to. He also tried to make a difference in peoples lives, showed great compassion for those worse off than himself and went beyond the call of duty when it came to him reporting in some of the worlds deadliest war zones. But ultimately, it cost him his life at the hands of Mugabe's henchmen. It's a sad day for everyone who knew Richard and a great loss to humanity.
Posted by Robert Mullen | 29.07.08, 02:37 GMT
Richard was one of my best friends throughout High School, I was very sad to hear of his death and would like to send my sincere sympathy to the entire family. I will remember him with great fondness.
Posted by Jeremy Atkinson, Saintfield | 28.07.08, 23:01 GMT
The untimely death of Richard Mills serves to highlight the great courage of photo journalists like Richard who risk all to uncover the realities of what is going on in dangerous locations like Zimbabwe. Condolences to his family and friends.
Posted by Ian Johnston | 28.07.08, 21:53 GMT
I served with Richie as a photog at RAF Wittering in 1998. As a fellow Ulsterman we shared the same sense humour and always had a laugh and a bit of crack. A talented and passionate photographer Richie will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Posted by Flight Lieutenant Eddy Dunlop | 28.07.08, 21:51 GMT
32 Comments