Veteran Bodybuilder Bertil Fox, convicted of double murder 25 years ago, has reportedly been released from prison.
Early reports seem to confirm that pro bodybuilder Bertil Fox has been released from prison after spending nearly 25 years behind bars. The news was first reported by fellow competitive bodybuilder Gary Strydom and has seemingly been confirmed by Fox’s son, Shaun Fox. Bertil Fox plead guilty to double murder in 1998 – having allegedly murdered his former fiancee Leyoca Browne and her mother Violet Browne.
According to an initial report by Gary Strydom, Bertil Fox was officially pardoned by the Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis on August 4th, 2022. Upon release, Fox has been reported to have moved to London, UK to be with his family. While no official report of the pardon has surfaced, the news has seemingly been confirmed by Bertil’s son Shaun Fox in a comment responding to the news on Facebook.
You can see the original post alongside a screenshot of Shaun Fox’s confirmation below:
Bertil Fox’s Bodybuilding Origins & Career
Bertil Fox was born on January 5th, 1951 on the Eastern Caribbean Island of St. Kitts and Nevins. Fox moved to London, UK along with his family when he was only one year old. Encouraged by his cousin to try bodybuilding, Fox competed and won in the 1969 Junior Mr. Britain at 18 years old. It was a moment that solidified his passion and career in competitive bodybuilding.
Bertil Fox went on to win nearly every major bodybuilding competition outside of the IFBB Pro league. This includes the AAU Mr. World in 1976, the amateur NABBA Mr. Universe in 1977 and later the pro NABBA Mr. Universe in both 1978 and 1979. Upon earning his IFBB Pro card, Joe Weider sponsored Fox’s move to Los Angeles in 1981. He would compete in the IFBB Pro league for the next 13 years – where he was known by the nickname “Brutal Bertil.”
Bertil Fox’s best placings in the IFBB Pro league were the 1982 Night Of Champions and the 1983 Swiss Grand Prix – where he finished second in both shows. His highest placing a the Mr. Olympia was fifth in 1983. Fox later retired from competitive bodybuilding in 1994 and moved back to his hometown of St. Kitts and Nevins.
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Double Murder Conviction
On September 30th, 1997, 20 year old beauty queen Leyoca Browne and her mother, 36 year old Violet Browne were fatally shot. Bertil Fox, who had previously been engaged to Leyoca, was arrested and charged with the double murder. Fox plead guilty and was convicted of murder on May 22, 1998.
Bertil Fox was originally sentenced to death by hanging. This decision was later reversed after an appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. His sentence was changed to life in prison.
Now it seems on August 4th, 2022, Governor General Timothy Harris pardoned Bertil Fox. He was allegedly released immediately where he quickly returned to his family in London, UK.
This story is still developing. At the time of this writing, Generation Iron has not been able to contact or verify the story with Shaun Fox or any other official source. This article will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.
Competition History
1969
- Mr. Britain – NABBA, Junior, 1st
1970
- Mr. Britain – NABBA, Junior, 1st
1971
- Mr. Britain – NABBA, Junior, 1st
- Mr. Europe, Junior, 1st
1976
- Mr. Britain – NABBA, Winner
- Mr. Europe, Medium, 1st
- Mr. Europe, Overall Winner
- Mr. Universe – NABBA, Medium, 2nd
- Mr. World – AAU, Winner
- Mr. World – AAU, Most Muscular, 1st
- Mr. World – AAU, Medium, 1st
1977
- Mr. Universe – NABBA, Medium, 1st
- Mr. Universe – NABBA, Overall Winner
1978
- Universe – Pro – NABBA, Winner
1979
- Universe – Pro – NABBA, Winner
1980
- World Championships – WABBA, Professional, 2nd
1981
- Grand Prix Belgium – IFBB, 5th
1982
- Night of Champions – IFBB, 2nd
- Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 8th
1983
- Grand Prix Sweden – IFBB, 4th
- Grand Prix Switzerland – IFBB, 2nd
- Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 5th
1984
- World Pro Championships – IFBB, 5th
1986
- Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 7th
1987
- Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 9th
- Night of Champions – IFBB, 7th
- Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 12th
1989
- Arnold Classic – IFBB, 6th
- Grand Prix Melbourne – IFBB, 6th
- Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 11th
- World Pro Championships – IFBB, 5th
1992
- Arnold Classic – IFBB, 16th
- Pittsburgh Pro Invitational – IFBB, 9th
1994
- Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 13th
