Full Breakdown
Nicholas Brandram’s Death Amid the Ongoing “Putney Pusher” Investigation
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 15 a 44-year-old man identified as Nicholas Brandram was found unresponsive at his Chiswick home and later pronounced dead. Metropolitan Police officers and the London Ambulance Service attended the address at 19.12hrs. The force stated the death is being treated as “unexpected” and not suspicious, and a coroner’s file will be prepared.
Background & Context
On May 5, 2017 a jogger pushed a 33-year-old woman into the path of a double-deck bus on Putney Bridge. CCTV footage captured the attack, but the attacker’s identity remained unknown. The Metropolitan Police interviewed more than 50 men and arrested three suspects before winding down the inquiry in 2018. Nine years later, on June 15, Brandram—a private-bank director and former British Army captain—was arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm and drug possession. He was released under investigation while DNA analysis continued.
Timeline
- May 5, 2017 – Jogger pushes woman on Putney Bridge; CCTV captured the attack.
- June 15 – Brandram arrested on suspicion of attempted GBH and drug possession.
- September 15 – Brandram found dead at his West London home; police treat death as unexpected.
- September 16 – Mandatory referral made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Data & Statistics
- Over 50 individuals were interviewed in the original 2017 probe.
- Three suspects were arrested before the case was closed in 2018.
- No forensic evidence linking Brandram to the Putney Bridge attack has been disclosed.
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles, policing for south-west London, expressed sympathy for Brandram’s family and acknowledged the strain a police investigation can place on individuals. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson reiterated that the death is being treated as unexpected and that a mandatory referral to the IOPC has been filed.
Criticism & Opposition
Brandram’s sisters, Alexia Hicks and Sophie Voelcker, issued a joint statement rejecting any link between their brother and the 2017 attack. They highlighted the absence of forensic evidence and the discrepancy between Brandram’s distinctive physical features and the suspect seen in the footage. The family also accused the Met of “negligent and reckless” handling of the case, alleging that police delays in completing the DNA test and the public release of biographical details intensified online abuse and contributed to Brandram’s deteriorating mental health.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He said a couple of days ago that this investigation was murdering him. Day by day, he was slowly being murdered,” — Alexia Hicks
- “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,” — Sophie Voelcker
- “He spent a long time in the army before going into the city. And his reputation was important. He was a proud man. I think that’s the thing and even the fact that he needed to seek help from a psychiatric hospital was a big deal for him.” — Ch Supt Dan Knowles
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No forensic link between Brandram and the Putney Bridge incident has been publicly presented, and the pending DNA result remains a critical missing piece.
What’s Next
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is assessing the mandatory referral filed on September 16. Metropolitan Police officials have indicated that forensic examinations and DNA analysis will continue, and the investigation into the 2017 attack remains open. The family has called for a full accounting of police actions and for the DNA results to be released promptly.