(UK) Awol soldier commits suicide

[Barrett808]

Source: Times Online

Awol soldier commits suicide
Jack Malvern

TYNESIDE A soldier who fled from his regiment in Iraq to begin a new life with his girlfriend killed himself in front of her and her children when she threatened to leave him.

Martin Packer, 20, went absent without leave from the Royal Fusiliers for more than four months after he fell in love with Joanne Hepple, a mother of two from North Shields, Tyneside, but stabbed himself during an argument in the early hours of Monday morning. Ms Hepple, 35, said that her boyfriend appeared with a knife after she said that their relationship was over. “I was shouting at him to get out of the bedroom,” she said. “The bairns were in the room when he stabbed himself.”

Her sons, Anthony, 16, and Robert, 10, watched as he fell to his side and began to gasp for breath. He was later declared dead at North Tyneside General Hospital.

Read more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article1862411.ece

[seriousstan]

1. A coward taking the coward's way out. What a surprise.

[tabasco]

3. I knew some good men that cracked after months in combat.

I'm sure you can regale us with your Rambo stories.

[SayWhatYo]

4. Ahh yes, someone gets screwed up from war and you insult him...

So is every mentally ill person who kills themselves a coward, or is it just those who served in the military?

[murielm99]

5. Lots of American soldiers

are committing suicide after returning from Iraq. This guy may have been just one of many who reached his breaking point.

[lonestarnot]

6. WTF... Why would you talk in this fashion regarding the mentally ill?

[Javaman]

7. And when were you in combat, sir? nt

[Kingofalldems]

8. Thank you for your concern

[liberal renegade]

2. Perhaps a victim of PTSD