Family accuses police after ex‑army banker Nicholas Brandram found dead amid Putney Bridge probe
Nicholas Brandram, a 44‑year‑old former Army captain and HSBC Private Bank senior, was found dead at his Chiswick residence following his arrest in June on suspicion of the 2017 Putney Bridge assault. His sisters, Alexia Hicks and Sophie Volker, said the investigation caused him severe pressure and criticised the Metropolitan Police for what they described as negligent handling of the case. They highlighted that a DNA test that could have cleared his name was not provided in a timely manner and that media coverage had exposed his identity. The Metropolitan Police has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and says the investigation into the 2017 incident remains active.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The case raises questions about how police investigations and public identification affect the mental health and rights of suspects.
How this story developed
- Sep 16 HSBC private banker linked to 2017 Putney Bridge attack found dead in London home
- Sep 17 The family publicly states that Brandram was not the “Putney pusher.”
- Sep 19 The family publicly accused the Metropolitan Police of negligence and called for a DNA test to clear their brother’s name.
