Nicholas Brandram, the man suspected of being the “Putney pusher”, reportedly told his family that the police investigation was “murdering him” days before he took his own life. His sisters, Alexia Hicks and Sophie Voelcker, stated he had “no fight left” and could not see an end to the Metropolitan Police investigation or online abuse.
Brandram, 44, was arrested on 15 June on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm, nine years after a woman was pushed into the path of a bus on Putney Bridge. His family said his lawyers warned the Met last week that his mental health had deteriorated, and he was receiving treatment in a psychiatric hospital.
His sisters maintained Brandram's innocence, stating there was no forensic evidence linking him to the incident and that he had provided DNA for comparison. They added that detectives reportedly told Brandram days ago that they did not know when the DNA analysis would be completed.
Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles, in charge of policing for south-west London, said the force's thoughts are with Mr Brandram’s family and friends and acknowledged the strain a police investigation can place on individuals.