At Larkhill Camp in December 2021, 19-year-old soldier Jaysley Beck died. The probe is revealing troubling new details.
The death of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on December 15, 2021, shocked her family and colleagues. As the investigation continued, more devastating revelations emerged.
The October 2023 inquiry report stated that Jaysley had experienced extreme and unwanted conduct, which likely contributed to her tragic demise.
Freaked out
The latest inquest into her murder in Salisbury revealed that Bombardier Ryan Mason sent Jaysley Beck dozens of texts over a month, leaving her “freaked out,” Sky News says.
The incident with Mason made her daughter feel uncomfortable, according to her mother, Leighann McCready. Lance Bombardier Kirsty Davis, a Jaysley Beck trainee, called Ryan Mason “psychotic and possessive”.
Mr. Mason wrote to Gunner Beck on October 21, “Love you Jayse. A friend.”
On November 11, he wrote, “You’re amazing Jayse, I appreciate you so much, I love everything about you, even your flaws.”
Jaysley Beck replied on November 25 that the issue was “becoming a bit too much” and “weighing me down.”
She said, “Honestly, I don’t want to hear how you feel about me.”
Jaysley Beck frequently said she didn’t want such communications.
It’s snapping me—I replied and you sent three SMS and tried to call me in two minutes. Can you see why I believe it’s too much?
Leighann McCready said her daughter received 3,600 messages from Mr. Mason in November, and Jaysley Beck worried he was following her. McCready said Mason was ”overstepping” and that her daughter had warned the family he was ”becoming a creep.”
She said her daughter called her on December 7 while working at a Newbury hotel. Ms. McCready said Gunner Beck was “upset and crying” and “afraid something would happen”. “Ryan was freaking her out,” she said.
Stuck in the predicament
Gunner Beck’s draft text message to Mr. Mason was presented at the inquest.
I’ve tried to appear normal because we’re working together, but this scenario isn’t normal: I feel trapped. Possessive and psychotic behavior is abnormal. My mental health is suffering from all of this for numerous reasons. Need time out.”
Beck kept her troubles to herself for fear of hurting her army reputation.
Beck was already struggling emotionally after her uncle’s suicide in August 2020 and the loss of a romance, according to her mother, McCready.
The inquiry also revealed that Beck had reported being assaulted by a sergeant during a July 2021 team-building trip when he made an unwanted advance.
Claim rejected by family
Despite the sergeant’s minimal sentence, Beck didn’t think the apology was sincere, which may have deterred her from reporting instances.
Jaysley wasn’t thrilled with what transpired, but as a lower-ranking Army officer, no one will trust you, especially against a higher level. Lance Bombardier Kirsty Davis said that she avoided controversy and drama.
A bereavement and other personal concerns may have contributed to her death, according to an Army service review. The family denies this.
The study also noted her heavy drinking, troubled sexual connection with a married colleague, and November 2021 split, as well as recurrent adultery charges. Beck had no mental health difficulties and had not sought welfare support, according to the study.