Coroner Delivers Verdict on Soldier’s Death After Text Message Claims

A coroner will share his conclusion today. He will talk about Jaysley Beck’s inquest. She was a teenage soldier found dead after many messages from her boss. He was described as “psychotic” and “possessive.”

Jaysley Beck was a Royal Artillery Gunner from Cumbria. She was found at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on December 15, 2021. She was nineteen. The inquest heard she complained about her boss. His behavior seemed “psychotic” and “possessive”.

Ryan Mason was her boss. He sent many messages, over one thousand in October and 3,600 in November. He talked of his love. Her mother said she felt unsafe as Mason’s behavior increased. She feared he hacked her phone and watched her.

An Army report in October 2023 called this “unwelcome behavior”. It said this likely caused her death. Mason left the Army the same month she died. He denied manipulating or pressuring her. He did discuss his mental health and suicide concerns.

Beck also complained about Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber at Thorney Island in July 2021 during an exercise. She said he “made a pass” at her, putting a hand between her legs and pinning her down to kiss her.

Beck joined the Army at sixteen. The incident scared her, and she slept in her car for safety. Webber is now a Warrant Officer 2 and declined to answer questions.

Webber had to write Beck a “genuine apology”. The Army report called it a “minor sanction”. This may have stopped her reporting other events later.

The report said family issues also contributed, though the family does not agree. One factor was a relationship with a married colleague that ended in November 2021. It involved “repeated allegations of unfaithfulness.” Another factor was alcohol, as she had episodes of binge drinking.

The Army said Beck had no diagnosed issues and didn’t seek help. Brigadier Melissa Emmett apologized, saying the Army accepts failures.

Nicholas Rheinberg, a coroner, will give his conclusion February 20 at 12pm.