Story perspectives

Family Says Forensic Evidence Clears Nicholas Brandram

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 10:06 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Nicholas Brandram, former UK army officer, died by suicide in London on 15 September 2026.
His family said forensic evidence did not link him to the 2017 Putney Bridge attack.
They noted Brandram had blue eyes, withered calf and tattoo, unlike the attacker’s brown eyes.
He was arrested on 15 June 2026 for GBH and drugs.
Met Police referred the case to Independent Office for Police Conduct on 16 September 2026.

History

Historical Context

After the 2005 fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes—where Metropolitan Police officers fired nine rounds, seven to the head, under the controversial Operation Kratos shoot-to-kill policy—public inquiries by the IPCC spurred reforms in suspect identification. The 2026 referral of former officer Nicholas Brandram, whose description conflicted with the 2017 Putney Bridge attacker, revives those calls for stricter evidentiary standards.

1 of 2

Story summary

Nicholas Brandram, former UK army officer, died by suicide in London on 15 September 2026.
His family said forensic evidence did not link him to the 2017 Putney Bridge attack.
They noted Brandram had blue eyes, withered calf and tattoo, unlike the attacker’s brown eyes.
He was arrested on 15 June 2026 for GBH and drugs.
Met Police referred the case to Independent Office for Police Conduct on 16 September 2026.

1 / 2