Man arrested in nine-year-old case

Nicholas Brandram, 44, was arrested in June on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm in connection with a 2017 attack on Putney Bridge where a jogger pushed a woman into the path of a bus.

Case went cold for years

The Putney Bridge attack attracted media attention but detectives wound down their investigation in 2018 after interviewing 50 men and arresting three suspects, with no charges filed.

Renewed interest after arrest

Brandram's arrest nine years later sparked renewed media coverage. His family said officers in body armour conducted a heavy-handed arrest while a reporter filmed the scene, and biographical details made him easily identifiable despite anonymity rules.

High-profile background became liability

Reports described Brandram as a wealthy banker in a 1.4 million pound west London home and army veteran with royal connections, being the grandson of Princess Katherine of Greece. This made him easily identifiable online.

Family says evidence proves innocence

Brandram's sisters said there was no forensic evidence linking him to the attack, he had distinguishing physical features not matching the attacker, and he had an alibi with email evidence from his workplace on the day of the incident.

He volunteered DNA and identification

Brandram willingly provided DNA for comparison and volunteered for an identification parade to clear his name. His sisters said detectives told him days before his death they still did not know when DNA analysis would be completed.

“Our brother willingly provided DNA in an attempt to obviously help clear his name and to complete the investigation, and for weeks now we've been asking the police just to complete the DNA test.”

Online abuse consumed him daily

As press reports continued, Brandram became preoccupied with online abuse on forums like Reddit. His sisters said his reputation was destroyed within days and he read the vitriol every day, becoming increasingly distressed.

“His reputation within a couple of days was in tatters. People saying he's the alleged pusher, and you can imagine the vitriol that was coming out online.”

Mental health rapidly deteriorated

Brandram told his sisters the investigation was murdering him and he had no fight left. He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for six days before being discharged on Sunday.

“He said a couple of days ago that this investigation was murdering him. Day by day, he was slowly being murdered.”

Police warned about his condition

Brandram's lawyers warned the Met that his mental health had deteriorated and he was receiving psychiatric treatment after renewed press reporting about his release under investigation.

He died thinking no one believed him

Brandram was found dead at his home in Chiswick on Tuesday. His sisters said he died believing everyone hated him and thought he was guilty, despite their support and his own conviction of innocence.

“when he took his own life he died thinking that effectively everyone hated him and thought he'd done something awful and that no one would see that he was innocent”

Family demands accountability

His sisters say the Met failed in its duty of care and allowed media leaks that violated his anonymity. They want his name cleared and are calling for changes to prevent another family experiencing similar treatment.

“They neglected him. They failed in their duty of care to him, to the wider family, and we do not want to see another family going through this.”

Met refers case to independent watchdog

The Metropolitan Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct on September 16. The force said investigations involving complex forensic work can take months to complete.