A British soldier who fought in Ukraine died by suicide at an army base in North Yorkshire, an inquest has heard. Lance Corporal Ryan Mackenzie was found dead in a bathroom at Catterick Garrison in August last year, having returned from leave earlier than expected.
The inquest in Northallerton heard that Mackenzie had been traumatised by his tours of duty in Afghanistan. His aunt, Angela Mackenzie, said after his first tour he “went into himself” and could no longer deal with loud noises. His grandmother, Margaret Allison, told the court he had spoken of a best friend being hanged by the Taliban and another soldier being captured and beheaded.
Allison said: “When he was staying with me he woke up at night screaming. He said he heard horrible voices in his head telling him to do things, and that he got flashbacks of his friends getting shot or mutilated.” The family said Mackenzie had post-traumatic stress disorder, but the inquest heard he was never formally diagnosed.
Army witnesses said they were unaware of any suicide attempts or mental health issues. However, Captain Philip Ingram, the welfare officer, said a care action plan had been instigated in May last year after Mackenzie told a friend he felt low and had considered suicide. Ingram said Mackenzie was reviewed regularly and had expressed a desire to live for his daughter.
Assistant coroner Jonathan Leach recorded a verdict of suicide, noting that the condition of Mackenzie’s body suggested he had returned to the base several days before his death. The exact date of his return remains unclear.
