Police investigating the drowning of footballer George Baldock have recovered CCTV showing him swimming in the pool at his luxury Greek apartment, stopping suddenly and then sinking.
The development came just hours after local media claimed in an unconfirmed report Baldock had sent a message to a teammate saying, he was ‘killing the vodka’ and a bottle of spirts and a glass were found at the scene.
Sources say the CCTV from a neighbouring property captures half the pool and shows him entering the water at about 6.45 on Wednesday evening – his son’s first birthday it is believed – and he is seen swimming vigorously up and down for ten minutes.
The clip, which was recovered by police after ex Sheffield United defender Baldock was discovered in the pool at 10.30pm, is key to establishing what happened although officials are confident there is no foul play.
Baldock had played for his new club Panathinakos on Sunday against fierce rivals Olympiacos and the game had ended in a 0-0 draw with the former Premier League played subbed off in the 75th minute.
The footballer moved to Greek club Panathinaikos in the summer and was found dead in his swimming pool on Wednesday
Emergency services outside the house of British-born Panathinaikos and Greece defender George Baldock, where he was found dead, in the exclusive suburb of Glyfada
Baldock waves farewell to the fans ahead of the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur at Bramall Lane in May before his move to Greece
It is known that he trained as usual with his team on Wednesday and then drove 13 miles from the session to his rented ground floor 15,000 Euro a month apartment in the upmarket Athens suburb of Glyfada.
Police say that his partner had contacted the property manager – identified as Andreas Vlachopoulos – who went to the property and found Baldock lifeless in the swimming pool with the owners.
On his Instagram Mr Vlachopoulos wrote: ‘To be called to the office at 22.00 in the evening by the owner of a property you have rented and to be the first to announce that your client was found dead in the swimming pool of his home.
‘There are no words for what I feel. I wish strength to his family,’ before adding a picture of Baldock.
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George Baldock trained on the day he died and his teammates and team staff gathered outside the villa where he was found dead yesterday
George Baldock in action on Sunday in the local derby with fierce rivals Olympiacos
George was living in this property in the Greek capital after a move to club giant Panathinaikos
The scene today where former Sheffield United defender George Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool in Athens, Greece
Greek media also reported that Wednesday was the first birthday of Baldock’s son and that his partner – who has yet to be identified – had called from Britain as she knew he would not want to miss the event.
It is understood that she asked the manager and owner to search the apartment and when they couldn’t find him asked them to check the pool and that’s when he was discovered.
The owner of the apartment dived into the pool and pulled him to the surface where he gave CPR while paramedics raced to the scene but there was nothing that could be done and his body was later taken to a mortuary.
An autopsy later confirmed he had drowned but toxicology reports would take at least a week to come back.
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