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Nicholas Brandram's family claim he was not 'Putney Pusher' as IOPC calls for police probe
Nicholas Brandram's family says he was not the 'Putney Pusher' after suicide, IOPC demands police self-investigate.
In brief
Nicholas Brandram's family says he was not the 'Putney Pusher' after suicide, IOPC demands police self-investigate. Nicholas Brandram, a former Army captain and millionaire banker, died by suicide after months of pressure from a police investigation into being the 'Putney Pusher' despite his family claiming he had no…
Nicholas Brandram's family claim he was not the 'Putney Pusher'
Nicholas Brandram's family says he was not the 'Putney Pusher' because he had a withered calf and blue eyes, not brown.
“He had a withered calf dating back to his time in the Army and a prominent tattoo on his forearm, although on a section of his arm which would not have been visible in the image.”
IOPC calls for police self-investigation
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has demanded the Metropolitan Police investigate itself over Nicholas Brandram's arrest.
“We have recommended that the review considers matters including the necessity and proportionality of the arrest, the nature of any engagement with the media, and whether appropriate consideration was given to Mr Brandram's welfare in line with relevant policy.”
Brandram's suicide after police investigation
Nicholas Brandram died by suicide on September 15, 2026, after months of immense pressure from the police investigation.
“He lived with the shame, anxiety, humiliation and extraordinary pressure created by a wholly unnecessary investigation.”
Brandram's military background
Nicholas Brandram was a decorated former Army captain who served in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Iraq, and was a three-times great-grandson of Queen Victoria.
“He was a decorated former Army captain who served in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Iraq.”
The 'Putney Pusher' incident
In 2017, a man pushed a 33-year-old woman off Putney Bridge into the path of a bus, but the incident was never solved until 2026.
“The 33-year-old female victim was crossing Putney Bridge when the jogger shoved her so hard she falls into the path of a double-decker bus.”
Brandram's arrest and release
Brandram was arrested in June 2026 on suspicion of being the 'Putney Pusher' but was released under investigation without bail.
“He was arrested in June at his £1.4m home in Chiswick, in west London, which he’d bought in 2018.”
Family's statement on the investigation
His family claims the police investigation was unnecessary and that he was 'murdered' by the process of being accused.
“He was left for months carrying the stigma of an appalling allegation which the police themselves clearly recognised was unsupported by the evidence.”
IOPC's investigation recommendation
The IOPC has recommended that the Metropolitan Police investigate the necessity and proportionality of Brandram's arrest.
“We have recommended that the review considers matters including the necessity and proportionality of the arrest, the nature of any engagement with the media, and whether appropriate consideration was given to Mr Brandram's welfare in line with relevant policy.”
Brandram's military trauma
Brandram lost two close friends in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, which led to PTSD and affected his personal relationships.
“He was absolutely inconsolable at losing Ralph, his closest Sandhurst friend, who was killed in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province by a rocket-propelled grenade.”
Family's DNA test request
His family offered to pay for a private DNA test to prove he was not the 'Putney Pusher' but the police did not act on it.
“Brandram’s sister Alexia said last week that her brother and his lawyer had offered to pay for a DNA test privately to speed up the investigation.”
Police investigation timeline
The police investigation into the 'Putney Pusher' incident began in 2017 and was closed in 2018 before reopening in 2026.
“It was viewed by millions globally amid endless speculation as to the identity of the jogger and what lay behind his seemingly unprovoked moment of madness.”
Brandram's family background
Nicholas Brandram was born on April 23, 1982, and was a three-times great-grandson of Queen Victoria.
“Born on April 23, St George’s Day, 1982, his upbringing was unquestionably privileged.”
Brandram's military service
Brandram served in the Army from 2005 to 2010, where he lost two close friends in combat and was diagnosed with PTSD.
“He was a decorated former Army captain who served in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Iraq.”
Brandram's financial status
Brandram was a millionaire banker with a £1.4m home in Chiswick, London, and worked for HSBC.
“He was arrested in June at his £1.4m home in Chiswick, in west London, which he’d bought in 2018.”
Brandram's family relationships
Brandram had a strained relationship with his three-year-old son and was separated from his second wife.
“He was said to be worried, too, about the impact the ongoing investigation might have on his relationship with his three-year-old son.”
The 'Putney Pusher' case
The 'Putney Pusher' case involved a man pushing a 33-year-old woman off Putney Bridge into the path of a bus in 2017, but the man was never identified until 2026.
“The 33-year-old female victim was crossing Putney Bridge when the jogger shoved her so hard she falls into the path of a double-decker bus.”
The short version
Nicholas Brandram, a former Army captain and millionaire banker, died by suicide after months of pressure from a police investigation into being the 'Putney Pusher' despite his family claiming he had no connection to the 2017 incident.
