A British Army cadet was found dead in his car with a fatal gunshot wound after he failed to enter his regiment of choice, an inquest has been told.
The body of Edward Milner was discovered on May 6 following reports of a car pulling up off the A286 near Midhurst, West Sussex.
Area coroner Joseph Turner told the coroner’s court that there was a lack of evidence regarding the state of mind of the 26-year-old, and ruled out a conclusion of suicide.
A post-mortem examination found Mr Milner, of Bepton, had suffered a blow to the head, and tests found no significant alcohol or drugs in his body.
The coroner made a narrative conclusion in which he told Mr Milner’s family he was “sadly found dead” in his car on the A286.
The car had gone down a steep embankment and struck a tree.
Mr Milner had “wrestled professionally in his previous term” but no details about his state of mind have been identified and police do not believe a third party was involved in his death.
Mr Milner, who was a licensed gun owner, had left his home shortly after 5am and was in his car returning for his third stint at Sandhurst.
He had also suggested he intended to go clay pigeon shooting as it was one of his favorite pastimes, the inquest heard.
Milner had wanted to join the Parachute Regiment or the Irish Guards, which are popular and oversubscribed, but was screened out of the process.
Despite this disappointment, he was still in line for a post with the Princess of Wales’s regiment.
The coroner told Mr Milner’s family: “The facts I have are pretty bare. You know he had a difficult second term.”
He said Mr Milner had a setback in his career plans, but added that “I’ve also heard a lot about his resilience” and his ability to analyze situations and deal well with feedback, as he was driven to improve.
Mr Milner had just returned from a skiing holiday with his girlfriend who he described as “keen” to talk about training, and had “only heard positive things about Sandhurst”.
She said he had a stomach bug, but even though it was bad, “there was nothing different about his character” and he was “very steady and very calm, but also cheerful and positive.”
Mr Milner was given light duties after informing Sandhurst that he was not fully fit due to his bug, but was aware of the future work required for his course, including an essay, and wanted to improve, the inquiry heard.
The coroner, who said Mr Milner knew he was expecting a selection panel on his return to Sandhurst that week, added: “Everything he said about Sandhurst was reasonable and measured, although the second mission had not gone as he wanted.
“It was considered that after the full 44 weeks he would have reached the full standard of the commission – and that information was given to him in this way.”
Turner added: “He was under scrutiny and had other work to produce, such as an essay.
“He was under some pressure, but it doesn’t seem out of the ordinary to me.”
There was also “nothing inappropriate” in their health and wellbeing reports, the inquest heard.
Earlier, Major Danielle Davis, a platoon commander at Sandhurst, told the inquest that Mr Milner was good at boxing and rugby and showed discipline.
She said he readily volunteered for jobs and seemed to have “limitless reserves of energy.”
