The family of the “Putney pusher” suspect have slammed the Metropolitan Police as “negligent” and “reckless” in their handling of his investigation following his death.
Nicholas Brandram was arrested in June, more than nine years after a jogger shoved a woman headfirst into the path of an oncoming bus on Putney Bridge. He was bailed pending investigation but was named in subsequent media reports.
Mr Brandram was found unresponsive inside a property in Chiswick, Hounslow, on Tuesday evening, believed to be the former banker’s west London home.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, his sisters Alexia Hicks and Sophie Volker said he had been “failed” by the police, who they said he had put faith in to clear his name.
They claimed the initial arrest was made after a statement from a witness saying Mr Brandram looked like the Putney pusher.
“My brother woke up to a large handful of police officers wearing armed vests with a film crew on the doorstep from the media,” Ms Volker said. “Our brother was taken in for questioning and released on bail later that day. Then the turmoil started.”
She said a “leak” to the media revealing details that were “distinguishing” led to his identification on social media, and that he was instantly seen as “guilty” online despite not being charged.
His sisters insisted leaks had “scuppered” the investigation and prevented police from being able to carry out a line-up.
Ms Hicks said the family had provided evidence there was “absolutely nothing” connecting their brother to the attack, and said the statement linking him “must have been malicious or mistaken”.
They added his mental state “deteriorated” as the police investigation continued and that “every day was becoming difficult” for him.
Police had first told Mr Brandram they were awaiting the imminent results of a DNA test which he “willingly” gave a sample for, but just days before he died had told him they could no longer provide a date for the results, his sisters claimed.
“I think the police’s urgency to get him arrested, the urgency to get it in the press, I think he couldn’t understand why there wasn’t urgency to help clear his name,” they added.
“We put faith into the justice system, we put faith into the Metropolitan Police. We wanted them to carry out their investigation because we’re so sure that Nick is innocent. Nick was sure he is innocent, the police know he is innocent.”
They added: “The Met were negligent, they were reckless, and they have failed our brother. They failed in their duty of care to our brother, to the wider family, and arguably society because the Putney pusher is still out there.”
They paid tribute to their brother, describing him as “warm, enthusiastic and charming”.
They said: “He was a gentleman. He was our very, very, very loved brother and uncle, father, son. He was a real family man and we’ve always been a very close family and didn’t deserve any of this happening to him.”
Police said the investigation into Mr Brandram is “ongoing” on Thursday and that it had referred itself to the police watchdog over contact with Mr Brandram before his death.
Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Brandram’s family and friends at this deeply distressing time. We recognise the significant impact his death will have on those who knew and loved him. We also understand the strain that being subject to a police investigation can place on individuals and their families.”
The force said that after Mr Brandram was released under investigation, officers’ enquiries into the offence continued. Chf Supt Knowles said: “This remains the position, and further investigative work is ongoing. Investigations of this nature, particularly those involving complex evidential and forensic work, can take a number of months to complete as officers gather and assess all available evidence.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed it had received a referral from the Met Police. A spokesperson said: “We are currently assessing the referral before deciding whether further action is required from us.”
The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for further comment about the sisters’ remarks.
