Sandhurst officer cadet becomes latest recruit to die in apparent suicide after ‘talented sportsman’ was found in car with shotgun

An officer cadet at Sandhurst has become the latest recruit to die in an apparent suicide.

Edward Milner is said to have shot himself as he returned to the prestigious military academy that previously housed Princes William and Harry.

His body was found in a car along a country road in West Sussex. A shotgun was found in the car and he was the only occupant.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious and a file has been passed to the local coroner, who opened and adjourned an inquest last week.

Edward Milner (pictured) is said to have shot himself as he returned to the prestigious military academy that previously housed Princes William and Harry

Sandhurst was forced to step up its support for officer cadets following the death of Olivia Perks, 21 (pictured)

Mr Milner, an economics graduate and a talented sportsman, belonged to Sandhurst’s New College and was about to start his Senior Term, the last of three fourteen-week terms.

Sources have told the Mail that officer Cadet Milner, in his early 20s, was ‘struggling with welfare issues’. Last night the army denied that he was bullied or that he had reported abuse by instructors.

Mr Milner, from Bepton, West Sussex, was found on May 6 after reporting to police a car leaving the carriageway of the A286 near Midhurst.

A police spokesperson said he was confirmed dead at the scene. Senior army officers could be called to give evidence before the coroner at a full inquest.

Officer Cadet Milner returned to Sandhurst in Berkshire after a period of ‘leave of absence’ prior to his expected completion of the commissioning course. It is believed he previously attended Cardiff University and headed Sherborne public school in Dorset, where he excelled at cricket and rugby.

Suicides among men in the military have increased since 2017, largely among those aged 20 to 24, according to official figures. The suicide rate for this group was “significantly higher than in the general UK population”, according to the MoD analysis. There were seven confirmed suicides in the armed forces last year, compared to one in 2018.

Ms Perks was found in her room at the academy after what was described as a ‘complete collapse of the welfare system’

Police are not treating the death as suspicious and a file has been passed to the local coroner, who opened and adjourned an inquest last week. The photo shows army officer cadets in a parade in front of the Old College

Sandhurst was forced to step up its support for officer cadets following the death of 21-year-old Olivia Perks. She was found in her room at the academy after what was described as a “complete collapse of the social security system.”

An inquest found senior officers missed several opportunities to intervene as her mental health deteriorated.

Two instructors were fired after an investigation that also revealed a shocking number of sexual encounters between officer cadets and staff.

Milner’s family declined to comment. Last night the Ministry of Defense said: ‘The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation by the coroner and it would be inappropriate to comment further.’

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