Overview
- At an inquest on February 12, 2026, Senior Coroner David Ridley recorded a suicide conclusion on the civil standard of proof, with the medical cause listed as hanging.
- Wiltshire Police investigated the death and reported no suspicious circumstances, while details of a prior police inquiry were not disclosed in court.
- Days before he went missing, Sgt Cairnie was interviewed at Swindon’s Gablecross police station.
- Following that interview, the Army placed him on a unit at risk register, gave him accommodation at Tidworth Camp, assigned Captain Alastair (Alasdair) Walker as welfare officer, and issued a welfare phone that he left behind.
- Toxicology tests were negative for alcohol or drugs, and the inquest heard there were no recorded mental-health issues in his medical notes.