Soldier dies suddenly just weeks after girlfriend found hanged at base

Soldier in his 20s dies suddenly just weeks after his girlfriend, 23, who was Gunner with Royal Horse Artillery was found hanged at an Army base

  • The body of Bombardier Ross Burnside was found weeks after his girlfriend died
  • Gunner Sophie Madden, 23, died of a suspected suicide at a barracks on June 10
  • The couple had previously served alongside one another in the armed forces 
  • Bdr Burnside’s mother said: ‘You left us far too soon. Forever in my heart’
  • For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit its website 

A soldier has died just weeks after the suspected suicide of his girlfriend at an Army barracks.

Bombardier Ross Burnside had been in a relationship with Gunner Sophie Madden, 23, whose body was discovered at Overhill Training Centre at St Martin’s Plain Camp near Folkestone, Kent.

An inquest into Gnr Madden’s death heard she was found hanged on June 10 while on a training course at the base.

Just weeks later her boyfriend, Bdr Burnside, who she had previously served alongside, was also found dead.

Bombardier Ross Burnside, in his 20s, was found dead in Rotherham, South Yorkshire on July 19

Sophie Madden, 23, was a gunner in the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, located at Albermarle Barracks. She was found hanged on June 10 in a Ministry of Defence building in Folkestone, Kent

He had served in a parachute regiment and had recently moved to the 1st Regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery.

Bdr Burnside, in his 20s, was from Rotherham in South Yorkshire – he was found dead in the seaside town on July 19.

A spokesman for his regiment said: ‘It is with sadness that we can confirm the death of Bombardier Ross Burnside on July 19, 2022.

‘An experienced soldier, Bombardier Burnside had served in 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and had recently joined 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.

‘He will leave behind a legacy through those he inspired, led and deployed alongside. Gone, but not forgotten, he will be missed by the Regiment and wider Gunner family.

Ms Madden, 23, pictured just four days before she died. An inquest into her death has been opened and adjourned – detectives are not treating her death as suspicious.

The female soldier was part of the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, located at Albemarle Barracks, Northumberland

‘Our sincere condolences are with Bombardier Burnside’s family and friends.’

Sheila Burnside, Bdr Burnside’s mother, wrote on Facebook: ‘My kind, generous, funny, loud, loving son. There are no words to say how much I will miss you my darling boy.

‘You left us far too soon. Forever in my heart, always in my thoughts.’

Gnr Madden was born in Wigan and was based at Albemarle Barracks in Northumberland, where she served as part of the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.

Tributes paid to her on social media by her regiment described her as having ‘resilience and professionalism’.

Sophie’s relative Natasha Madden, of Skelmersdale, Lancashire, said in her online tribute to Ross: ‘[It] was such a pleasure having you a part of our family you can now rest at peace.’

One relative, Chantelle Madden, from Liverpool, wrote: ‘Rest easy I miss you. Hope you [and] Sophie looking after yourself up there.’

An inquest into Gnr Madden’s death has been opened and adjourned.

Detectives are not treating her death as suspicious.

The investigation into Bdr Burnside’s death is continuing.

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