A YOUng soldier who was discovered hanged at an Army post had just made a commitment to phone her son, according to an inquest.
On June 10, Sophie Madden, 23, was found in the shower stall at the Overhill Training Center in St. Martin’s Plain Camp, close to Folkestone.
The Gunner appeared “totally normal” and had been out drinking with friends the night before she died, according to testimony given at an inquest.
Over the course of the evening, she went to three bars and was described as “chatty” and “enjoying herself.”
Between 12.10 and 12.30 in the morning, she returned to the camp and joined some of the other troops in a game of pool.
The single mother went back to her room by herself and called Chantelle Madden, who was watching over her son, according to testimony given during the hearing.
As the kid was sleeping when Sophie called, she told her sister she loved her and said she would call back to speak to him in the morning.
The soldier, who was a member of the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, was tragically discovered at around 9.35am.
Suspension was listed as the cause of Sophie’s death.
Chantelle described Sophie’s death as a “huge shocker” and noted how much her sister was adored.
She explained that Sophie was distressed because her phone had broken and she was about to be charged for damage her beloved dog had made to her former Army housing.
“Sophie was a strong, independent woman who didn’t often worry about things,” Chantelle further stated in a statement.
“I didn’t have any worries about her safety or mental health, but I assured her I’d send her some money and a spare phone the next day.”
She had 173mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood at the time of her death, which is double the legal driving limit, according to a toxicology study.
There were no indications of criminal conduct or involvement by third parties, according to Detective Sergeant Andrew West of the Kent Police.
According to information provided before the inquest, Sophie was previously listed as vulnerable after hitting her head against a wall while intoxicated in May 2020.
But following a required two-year monitoring period, she was struck from the registry this year.
Sophie’s sister gave a statement to police describing Sophie as a “strong, independent woman who did not worry about things.”
Coroner Katrina Hepburn declared a suicide judgement, saying: “I’m confident Sophie committed the act, and there is no indication of anyone else being involved.
“I have to consider whether Sophie intended to take her own life or if it was a cry for help.
“There is no evidence she was expecting anyone to come in and didn’t tell anyone she was feeling in any way suicidal, or made anyone aware of any issues when she went in.
“I am satisfied she did in fact intend to take her own life, and satisfied all other scenarios have been ruled out. Therefore a conclusion of suicide is needed on the balance of probability.”
Sophie had no history of mental health issues and only took the drug as her usual medicine, according to Ministry of Defense GP Dr. John Clark.
There were rumours that she had a difficult childhood, the inquest was informed.
“Her resilience and professionalism were an example to us all, and will live on as her legacy here and across the Gunner family.
“Our thoughts are with her family and ask that they are given space at this difficult time.”
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