Mother of Olivia Perks, 21, found hanged at Sandhurst accuses army of covering ... trends now
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The grieving mother of an officer cadet found hanged at Sandhurst has accused Army chiefs of covering up the circumstances of her death.
Weeping Louise Townsend revealed the family’s ‘fight for justice’ following the death of Officer Cadet Olivia Perks, who killed herself after senior officers failed to provide adequate welfare support.
Concluding a three-week inquest, the coroner also criticised ‘missed opportunities’ by officers at the world-famous Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) to intervene as Ms Perks spiralled out of control.
In the months after her death, top brass tried to claim the February 2019 tragedy could not have been stopped. They also insisted RMAS staff conducted themselves appropriately towards Ms Perks.
But Ms Townsend was convinced her daughter’s death could have been prevented. So she hired investigators to dig into the circumstances.
21-year-old Officer Cadet Olivia Perks (pictured) killed herself after senior officers failed to provide adequate welfare support
They found an older male instructor, Staff Sergeant Mark Easingwood, indulged in a physical relationship with Ms Perks, in breach of strict rules banning any close contact between staff and cadets.
Sgt Easingwood was eventually sacked by the Army. So too was Colour Sergeant Lee Griffith who spent a night with Ms Perks, another breach of
