Family want to bring father’s body home

Andy Forsythe was killed in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia on Saturday, August 15, a tragedy now being investigated by authorities there.

The 54-year-old had spent his early years in Ancrum and later lived in Hawick, in-between times working and travelling in Canada.

In recent years he has spent time in eastern Europe, in Turkey and latterly in Bulgaria.

His death has stunned his family, including his two daughters Hayley and Jessie.

A Crowdfunding appeal has been launched on their behalf to raise £8,000 needed to bring their father’s body home to the UK.

A family spokesperson, quoted on the appeal page, said: “It’s hard to take in, but our friend Andy Forsythe has been murdered.

“He was shot and killed in Sofia, Bulgaria. A man with a great heart has been cruelly taken from us.

“Andy’s wish was that when the time came he would be laid to rest in Ancrum.

“Andy was a man with a big and generous heart.

“He gave freely of his time to help others; 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.

“Andy’s wish was that when the time came he would be laid to rest in Ancrum, the village in the Borders where he grew up.

“On behalf of his daughters, Hayley and Jessie, we are trying to raise £8,000 to cover the expenses arising from this tragedy.

“With this money we can bring Andy’s body home and pay for the funeral itself. There are also legal and other costs likely.”