Inquest Uncovers Harrowing Circumstances of Soldier Jaysley Beck’s Death

Tragic Inquest into the Death of Young Soldier Jaysley Beck

A teenage soldier was discovered dead at base camp after receiving a number of ‘unwelcome’ texts from her boss, an inquest has revealed. Jaysley Beck, a 19-year-old Royal Artillery Gunner, was found at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire, UK, on 15 December 2021. The inquest further highlighted that she became ‘scared’ due to ‘psychotic and possessive’ behaviour from her superior, who she believed had hacked her phone.

The intense messaging period was with Bombardier Ryan Mason, and a service inquiry report published in October 2023 classified it as a ‘casual factor’ in her passing, as reported by Sky News. It was noted that Beck received an astounding number of texts, including 3,600 messages in November alone.

During the inquest held in Salisbury, Gunner Beck’s mother, Leighann McCready, stated that her daughter increasingly reported feeling unsafe. The WhatsApp messages included intrusive queries, with Mason expressing sentiments like: “Love you Jayse. As a friend,” and “you’re stuck with me forever now. I love you x As a friend, I love you.”

One particular message prompted a significant response from Beck: “This whole falling in love with me, it’s becoming a bit too much… It’s weighing me down a little bit, I’ll be totally honest with you.”

McCready noted that Mason’s behaviour was perceived as overstepping boundaries, and her daughter confided in her family that she felt he was becoming a creep. Beck expressed fears of being watched, evidencing this concern in messages where she noted Mason’s excessive texting and calling.

On December 7, Beck reached out to her mother “upset and crying,” voicing her fears that something was going to happen and that she suspected her phone was being tracked. A draft message she prepared for Mason revealed her internal struggle: “I honestly feel trapped in this whole situation… It’s possessive and psychotic. I am struggling to deal with all of this.”

Further details revealed that Beck had previously reported an assault by a sergeant during a team-building event, where he improperly touched her. Despite this, the sergeant faced only minor consequences, creating a climate of fear that may have deterred her from voicing her concerns about Mason.

Though the findings suggest external family problems contributed to her struggles, her family firmly disagree, emphasizing the direct impact of unaddressed harassment and strained relationships.

Beck’s untimely death brings forth critical conversations surrounding mental health, workplace safety, and the necessary steps to support service members in distress. The inquest is currently ongoing, and the systematic evaluation of these allegations may be pivotal in preventing future tragedies.