Soldier Sophie Madden, 23, took her own life after trying to call her son, inquest hears

Sophie Madden, 23, had been out drinking with friends the night before her death and appeared “totally normal”, an inquest was told.

A young soldier found dead at an Army base had promised to call her son just hours before taking her own life, an inquest heard.

Sophie Madden, 23, was discovered in the shower block at the Overhill Training Centre at St Martin’s Plain Camp in Kent, south east England, on June 10, The Sun reported.

The Gunner had been out drinking with friends the night before her death and appeared “totally normal”, an inquest was told.

She visited three bars over the course of the evening where she was described as “chatty” and “enjoying herself”.

Stream your news live & on demand with Flash. From CNN International, Al Jazeera, Sky News, BBC World, CNBC & more. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >

Soldier Sophie Madden was found dead

She then made her way back to the camp between 12.10am and 12.30am where she played pool with some of the other soldiers.

The mum-of-one returned to her room alone where the hearing was told she phoned her sister Chantelle Madden, who was caring for her son.

Sophie asked to speak to the boy but as he was asleep at the time, she told her sister she loved her and promised she’d ring back to speak to him in the morning.

Tragically, the soldier, who was serving in the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, was found at around 9.35am.

Chantelle said the news of Sophie’s death was a “total surprise” and that her sister was “so well loved”.

She explained Sophie was stressed her phone was broken and that she was facing a bill for damages caused by her pet dog at her previous Army accommodation.

In a statement, Chantelle added: “Sophie was a strong, independent woman, and didn’t tend to worry about things.

“I told her I’d send her some money and a spare phone the next day, but I didn’t have any concerns for her safety or mental health.”

She is believed to have taken her own life

A toxicology report found she had 173mg of alcohol per 100ml in her blood at the time of her death - twice the legal driving limit.

Detective Sergeant Andrew West of Kent Police found there were no signs of third party involvement or criminal activity.

The inquest was told Sophie was previously placed on the vulnerability register in May 2020 after she banged her head against the wall while drunk.

But she was removed from the register this year after a mandatory two-year observation period.

Ministry of Defence GP Dr John Clark also revealed Sophie had no history of mental health problems and took no regular medication other than the contraceptive pill.

In a statement given to police, Sophie’s sister described her as a “strong, independent woman who did not worry about things”.

Ms Madden tried to call her son the night before she died

Ruling a verdict of suicide, Coroner Katrina Hepburn said: “I’m satisfied it was Sophie who did the act ... and there is no evidence of anyone else being involved.

“I have to consider whether Sophie intended to take her own life or if it was a cry for help.

“There is no evidence she was expecting anyone to come in and didn’t tell anyone she was feeling in any way suicidal, or made anyone aware of any issues when she went in.

“I am satisfied she did in fact intend to take her own life, and satisfied all other scenarios have been ruled out. Therefore a conclusion of suicide is needed on the balance of probability.”

The 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery said previously: “Gunner Madden was a highly valued member of D Battery RHA.

“Her resilience and professionalism were an example to us all, and will live on as her legacy here and across the Gunner family.

“Our thoughts are with her family and ask that they are given space at this difficult time.”

This story was originally published by The Sun and was reproduced with permission