‘Well-loved’ Swindon bricklayer’s death in tree leaves coroner baffled

Bricklayer Brandonlee Rouse-McCue was found near the Groundwell Industrial Estate on March 12, 2022,

The 25-year-old, known as Brandon, was found high up in the branches, his coat rested on another branch further above him, he had moved his leg in a way that suggested trying to stop a fall, a red corner flag was suspended nearby, and one of the branches had snapped.

At an inquest held at Swindon and Wiltshire Coroner’s Court on Thursday, senior coroner David Ridley said that the situation was “baffling” and not one he had come across before in his 14 years in the role.

He said: “It’s very odd. This is the case that’s caused me to fuss the most.”

After hearing evidence from Brandon’s partner about his mindset in the days before he died, Mr Ridley decided the verdict could not be solely an accident or a suicide, and so delivered a narrative conclusion instead.

“Although Brandonlee climbed the tree with the intention of ending his life, it is unclear as to whether he still had that intent at the time the branch broke,” he said.

The inquest had been told that Brandon had struggled with mental health issues since he was 14, later developed dependencies on alcohol and drugs, served time in prison, often disappeared for days at a time, and had spoken of a desire to end his own life.

After hearing from Brandon’s partner about how particular he was with his clothes, especially the expensive coat found near him, it was determined that he may have climbed that high and placed the outerwear even higher up to prevent people from stealing it.

The reason for the red flag – whether Brandon had been trying to reach it, placed it there to ensure he was found, or any other purpose – could not be proven.

Mr Ridley added: “It’s clear to me that Brandon was troubled. He struggled in the outside world and found security and support in a prison environment.

“He wanted to do the right thing but found it hard to stay on the right path.”

Brandon’s mother Susannah said: “He was a really likeable person, with lots of friends and family, who was well-loved by us all.

“He was good with his hands, had a good eye for detail, and liked making things out of wood and gardening.

“He would say ‘I love you’ to me before he went out, or on the phone before bed.”

She last saw her son on March 9, when he helped with some odd jobs around her house like laying wood flooring and trimming skirting boards.

Brandon then stayed at his partner’s address overnight and left unexpectedly on the following day after making his children breakfast and taking them to school.

At around 4.50pm on March 12, two boys in their early teens walking along a footpath near the Groundwell Industrial Estate noticed the body above them and called 999.

A narrative verdict is a factual statement of the circumstances surrounding someone’s death but does not attribute a specific cause of death to an individual.

Narrative verdicts have been an option for coroners in England and Wales since 2004.

Anyone affected by issues raised in this story can call Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org