Tragic Death of 19-Year-Old Soldier

In December 2021, 19-year-old soldier Jaysley Beck was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire. The discovery shocked her family and colleagues. New, disturbing details from the ongoing investigation have recently come to light.

Investigating the Cause

An inquiry report, released in October 2023, revealed that Jaysley had experienced intense and unwanted behavior, which likely contributed to her tragic death. Her mother, Leighann McCready, said the situation with Bombardier Ryan Mason escalated, making her daughter feel unsafe.

“Freaked Out” by Messages

Jaysley received thousands of texts from Mason over the course of a month, which left her feeling “freaked out.” Lance Bombardier Kirsty Davis described Mason’s behavior as “psychotic and possessive.” Some of Mason’s messages included:

• October 21: “Love you Jayse. As a friend.”
• November 11: “You’re amazing Jayse, I appreciate you so much.”
• November 25: Jaysley responded, saying the situation was “becoming a bit too much.”

Jaysley repeatedly told Mason she did not want to receive these messages, yet he continued. Her mother explained that Jaysley had received 3,600 messages from Mason in November alone.

A Troubling Conversation

On December 7, while staying at a hotel in Newbury, Jaysley called her mother upset and crying. She expressed fears that Mason was watching her. McCready shared, “Ryan was freaking her out.”

Feeling Trapped

The inquest revealed a draft message Jaysley had planned to send Mason. She wrote:
“I feel trapped in this whole situation… I am struggling to deal with this. It’s taking a huge toll on my mental health. I need time out.”

Jaysley didn’t speak out, fearing damage to her reputation in the army. Her mother explained that she was already coping with emotional turmoil, including the suicide of her uncle and the end of a relationship.

Previous Assault Report

In July 2021, Jaysley had reported being assaulted by a sergeant during a team-building trip, but he received only a minor penalty. She didn’t feel the apology was sincere, making her reluctant to report further incidents.

Family’s Rejection of the Claim

The family rejects the claim that personal issues led to Jaysley’s death, though an Army service inquiry cited factors like a strained sexual relationship, a breakup, and binge drinking as contributing factors. The report also noted that Jaysley had no mental health issues and had not sought welfare support.

Seeking Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential emotional support available 24/7.