# Death of Nicholas Brandram during police investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/death-of-nicholas-brandram-during-police-investigation
> Updated: 2026-09-25T13:21:48.000Z. Sources: 46. Developments: 5.

Nicholas Brandram, a 44-year-old former banker and British Army captain, was found dead at his home in Chiswick, West London, on September 15. Brandram, a descendant of Greek and Danish royal families and a relative of King Felipe VI and Queen Sofía of Spain, had been under investigation by the Metropolitan Police following the reopening of the 2017 ‘Putney Pusher’ case, involving an assault on Putney Bridge. He was arrested in June 2026 and released shortly before his death without being formally charged.

While the Metropolitan Police described the death as ‘unexpected but not suspicious’ and stated there are currently no indications of criminality, Brandram’s family has stated he took his own life due to ‘months of immense pressure’ and stigma. His sisters, Alexia Hicks and Sophie Volker, criticized the police investigation as ‘negligent’ and ‘careless,’ alleging he was improperly linked to the crime via a single witness. The family noted that Brandram had offered to fund a private DNA test to prove his innocence.

An inquest into Brandram’s death has been adjourned pending an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC has directed the Metropolitan Police's Directorate of Professional Standards to investigate the force's handling of the case. This probe will specifically examine the necessity and proportionality of the arrest, the police's engagement with the media, and the welfare considerations provided to Mr. Brandram. If the Metropolitan Police's internal probe finds no potential misconduct, the final report must still be submitted to the IOPC for review. During proceedings, it was noted that there was no forensic evidence or credible proof linking him to the 2017 incident.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-25: Metropolitan Police ordered to probe handling of Putney Pusher suspect death

The IOPC has ordered the Metropolitan Police to investigate its handling of Nicholas Brandram, a suspect in the 2017 Putney Bridge incident who died by suicide during the investigation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/metropolitan-police-ordered-to-probe-handling-of-putney-pusher-suspect-death

### 2026-09-22: Nicholas Brandram, former 'Putney Pusher' suspect, found dead

Nicholas Brandram, a former army captain and suspect in the 2017 ‘Putney Pusher’ case, was found dead at his Chiswick home. An inquest is pending an investigation by the police watchdog.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicholas-brandram-former-putney-pusher-suspect-found-dead

### 2026-09-19: Nicholas Brandram found dead in London amid Putney Pusher investigation

British banker Nicholas Brandram, a relative of the Spanish and British royal families, has died at his London home amid an ongoing investigation into the Putney Pusher case.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicholas-brandram-found-dead-in-london-amid-putney-pusher-investigation-1

### 2026-09-19: Nikolas Bradram family criticizes police after suicide

The family of Nikolas Bradram, a descendant of Princess Katherine of Greece and Denmark, has accused police of negligence following his suicide after being linked to the ‘Putney pusher’ case.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nikolas-bradram-family-criticizes-police-after-suicide

### 2026-09-16: Nicholas Brandram, linked to Putney Pusher case, found dead in London

Nicholas Brandram, a banker and royal descendant linked to the ‘Putney Pusher’ investigation, was found dead in London. His family claims he died by suicide due to intense police pressure.

40 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/putney-pusher-suspect-nicholas-brandram-found-dead-in-west-london

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Cite as: Death of Nicholas Brandram during police investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/death-of-nicholas-brandram-during-police-investigation