Nineteen-year-old Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire after enduring what has been described as an “intense period of unwelcome behaviour” from a senior colleague, an inquest has heard.
The Royal Artillery soldier, who had been receiving thousands of persistent and obsessive messages from Bombardier Ryan Mason, told her mother she no longer felt safe in the weeks leading up to her death on 15 December 2021.
Thousands of Messages and a Fearful Soldier
The inquest in Salisbury was shown a series of WhatsApp exchanges between Gnr Beck and Bdr Mason spanning from October to December 2021. According to her mother, Leighann McCready, her daughter had initially offered Mason support, believing he was struggling with mental health issues.
However, the messages quickly escalated. Mason repeatedly declared his love for Beck, despite framing it as “just as a friend.” On 25 November, she confronted him directly, saying:
“This whole falling in love with me, it’s becoming a bit too much… I just don’t want to hear how you feel about me.”
Despite her clear boundaries, Mason continued to bombard her with messages, a staggering 3,600 in November alone. Beck later confided in her mother that she believed he was watching her, describing his behaviour as “creepy.”
A Culture of Fear and Allegations of Assault
The inquest also heard that Beck had previously reported feeling unsafe after an alleged sexual assault by a sergeant during a team-building stay at Thorney Island, Hampshire, in July 2021. She claimed the sergeant had put his hand between her legs, leaving her too afraid to return to her room; she spent the night sleeping in her car instead.
The Army’s Service Inquiry Report, published in October 2023, concluded that the overwhelming pressure Beck faced was “almost certainly” a causal factor in her death.
A Devastated Family Still Seeking Answers
Beck’s mother continues to fight for justice, highlighting the deep failures in safeguarding her daughter.
“Ryan Mason was overstepping the mark of her friendliness and her nature… she made us aware that he was becoming a creep,” McCready said.
As the inquest continues, the case raises serious concerns about harassment within the Armed Forces and whether enough is being done to protect vulnerable soldiers.
