Young Telford soldier’s death was not preventable, says coroner
The death of a young Telford-based soldier could not have been prevented by the army, a coroner has ruled.
Lance Corporal Kashaani Van Lancker, 21, hanged herself at Parsons Barracks in Donnington, on April 21 last year.
Senior coroner for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, John Ellery, recorded a verdict of suicide and said LCpl Van Lancker wanted to be with her mother who died in December 2013.
A three-day inquest in January heard LCpl Van Lancker, who was from Stockport, was struggling with her mental health and had agreed to hourly check-ups just hours before she died.
She had admitted mixing sleeping tablets and alcohol the previous evening in an attempt to end her life.
Mr Ellery said: “Kashaani was well liked and was expected to have a successful career with the Royal Military Police. However, due to the loss of her mother, she was known to be at risk of self-harm and suicide. Her mother’s death left an impossible void in her life.
“She told some friends that she loved the army but was frustrated that she did not pass the exams to be promoted to Corporal. Others knew about her underlying unhappiness and grief.”
LCpl Van Lancker saw welfare officer Captain Lee Sumner on the day of her death. She was not was not willing to go to hospital but agreed to hourly monitoring.
Captain Sumner said he had a two-hour meeting with LCpl Van Lancker and did not think she was suicidal because she was speaking about plans for the future and that she wanted to leave the barracks that weekend.
Staff Sergeant Pope attempted to make contact with her via text but she did not respond.
SSgt Pope went to check on her at 5.50pm, followed by Captain Sumner at 6pm. While he was on his way, he saw an ambulance heading towards LCpl Van Lancker’s block. She was later pronounced dead at hospital.
Mr Ellery added: "Captain Sumner could only act on what he knew. In my judgement, she disguised her true intentions. If Captain Sumner still believed Kashaani was suicidal, I believe she would have dealt with it differently.
"Kashaani's death could not have reasonably, and without hindsight, have been prevented by any act on the part of the army."
