Chris Leitch, the prominent New Zealand politician and veteran leader of the Social Credit Party, died earlier today after a long battle with health. Read on to learn how New Zealand politician Chris Leitch died, what happened to him and what caused his death.
Leitch was a widely recognized politician as well as activist from Whangārei. He was known for fighting for the causes he believed in. He was also an avid fan of ballroom dancing, which earned him international recognition and his own dance studio.
Who was Chris Leitch?
Christopher John Leach, also known as Chris Leach, was a prominent New Zealand politician. Born in 1953/1954, the Whangārei man was leader of the Social Credit Party from 2018 until his death on 20 January 2023.
Leach first joined the party in 1972, some twenty years after the party was founded in 1953. He has held almost every position in the party and was awarded a Life Membership of Social Credit in 2012.
Leach was a key figure in the political party and continued to fight for the causes he believed in. Just last year it petitioned the government to keep the Marsden Pt oil refinery in operation.
He has also recently led vigorous campaigns to keep New Zealand out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, to stop Chinese funding of infrastructure in the Northland and to end government mandates preventing the employment of New Zealand civil servants.
How did Chris Leitch die?
Chris Leitch died on Friday, January 20, 2023. He was 70 years old at the time of his death. The famous politician died on Friday morning after a long healthy battle with neck cancer. It is not known when he was diagnosed with the disease, but he has recently been receiving treatment for it.
The unfortunate news of Chris Leach’s death was confirmed by the New Zealand Herald after rumors of the tragedy surfaced on social media.
“Social Credit leader Chris Leitch from Whangārei dies aged 70,” reported national media. Several other local and international media covered the news and #RIPChrisLeitch became a top trend globally.
Chris Laitch Dead: What Caused His Death?
Chris Leitch died of neck cancer on Friday at the age of 70. For context, neck cancer is a group of malignant cells in the throat that can often be life-threatening. Symptoms can be seen in the mouth, sinuses, nose or throat.
These include a sore or lump that won’t heal, a persistent sore throat, trouble swallowing, and voice changes. Smoking is a major risk factor for neck cancer. It is not known whether Leitch smoked, but the official cause of death was neck cancer.
Chris Leitch Obituary, Funeral and Tribute
An obituary for Chris Leitch is currently awaited by his family, while a digital one has been published online in the New Zealand Herald. Funeral services are currently pending. We are waiting for his family to confirm the timeline before we update it here.
Tributes to the late politician appear on social networks. People remember him as a highly influential person who always stood by his nation.
Chris Leach is survived by his wife Ann, son Andrew Leach, stepdaughters Tracy and Darian, and brother Tim Leach.
Our heartfelt condolences to his family and other loved ones at this difficult time. May God rest the soul of the deceased in peace.
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