The tragic death of 23-year-old sapper Kim Mawa, a member of the Royal Engineers, came as a complete shock to his regiment. Found dead in his room at Swinton Barracks, Perham Down, Wiltshire, last May, Mr. Mawa’s passing left colleagues and commanders stunned.
During the inquest held at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court, it was confirmed that Mr. Mawa died by hanging. Lieutenant Colonel Rich Roberts, his commanding officer in the 22 Engineer Regiment, emphasized that there were no prior welfare concerns. “We checked thoroughly with medical officers and welfare personnel, and no flags were raised at any point,” he stated. Even checks with Mr. Mawa’s previous units revealed no issues.
Following his death, a single statement emerged mentioning mental health concerns, but these were brought to light only after the incident. Mr. Mawa was never listed on the “at-risk” register and was not under investigation for any misconduct.
Col Roberts described Mr. Mawa as a popular and well-liked member of the regiment, whose death deeply affected his friends and colleagues. Several individuals sought counseling support in the wake of this unexpected loss.
The inquest revealed another facet of Mr. Mawa’s life: he was an active gambler. Over the six months before his death, he had spent about £11,000 with two gambling companies, accruing a deficit of nearly £1,000, while his bank account was also overdrawn.
Concerns arose when fellow soldiers returning from physical training noticed that Mr. Mawa’s shower had been running for over an hour and a half. Upon entry by senior non-commissioned officers, they found him deceased. Emergency services confirmed his death, with police ruling out any suspicious circumstances or involvement of others.
Born in Zimbabwe and relocating to the UK as a child, Mr. Mawa joined the Army in 2018. The area coroner, Ian Singleton, officially recorded the cause of death as suicide. He noted, “Kim Mawa was a well-liked soldier with no previous mental health history. His gambling activities led to financial strain. On the day of his death, concern was raised when his shower ran unattended. A note was found, written by Kim, indicating his intent to end his life.”
This heartbreaking case highlights the hidden struggles that can exist even when no outward signs are evident.