Army sergeant found dead just days after being interviewed by police | UK | News
An army sergeant took his own life just days after being contacted by police, the inquest heard. The body of Alex Cairnie, who served in the Queen’s Royal Hussar Regiment, was found in a remote field near his barracks by a bird watcher on July 8 last year.
The inquest at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court heard how the 30-year-old was interviewed at a local police station days before he went missing. Police launched a search to find him on July 6 and said in a public appeal that he was last seen leaving Tidworth Camp, a large British Army garrison on Salisbury Plain. But Mr Cairnie’s body was found on a hillside at Warren Hill in Tidworth just two days later.
As reported by Swindon AdvertiserSumming up evidence from Mr Cairney’s wife Lucy, senior coroner David Ridley said: “You then realize that the police are involved and Alex is the subject of an inquest.
“For reasons I won’t explain, there were restrictions and he was unable to return and arrangements were made to find him accommodation elsewhere. The army gave him a room.”
Mr Cairney was placed in the at-risk unit after being given accommodation at Tidworth Camp. Captain Alastair Walker was also appointed as his welfare officer.
Mr Ridley added: “The last text message Captain Walker received from Alex was at 5.14pm that Saturday, where he said ‘I’m pinning my hopes on good news on Monday.’ At 12.04pm on July 6, Captain Walker texted Alex to ask what he was doing that day and received no response.”
Captain Walker then, unable to reach Mr. Cairney by telephone, went to his room to see if he was there. He called Wiltshire Police after finding it empty.
Captain Walker told the inquest: “I called the civil police to inform them that Alex’s whereabouts were unknown and that the military had welfare concerns due to recent events.”
Mr Ridley said police were investigating his death but found no suspicious circumstances. He recorded the result of suicide.
The coroner continued: “Alex’s body was found in a remote area of Warren Hill on Tuesday 8 July 2025. Alex went missing from the barracks around noon on 6 July.
“I think there is sufficient evidence on the balance of probabilities to record a conclusion of suicide.”
You can contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123, emailing jo@samaritans.org.uk or visiting . www.samaritans.org
