Death of ‘bullied’ soldier whose badly decomposed body was found three weeks after he died remains a mystery, inquest told

The death of a ‘bullied’ soldier whose body lay undiscovered in his bunk for three weeks has left his family with ‘so many questions’, they told an inquest today.

Lance Corporal Bernard ‘Bernie’ Mongan, 33, was allegedly the victim of ‘systematic harassment’ and ‘bullying’, a coroner was previously told.

The Iraq veteran was last seen at his base in Catterick, North Yorkshire, on December 27, 2019, when he was looking forward to a new posting.

But three weeks after being reported missing, on January 23, 2020 his badly decomposed body was found in his single room accommodation, Northallerton Coroner’s Court was told. 

An empty litre bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey was found in his room, along with body-building supplements, while tests on his body found a type of barbiturate.

The two most likely causes were considered to be poisoning or a sudden abnormality of the heart, the inquest heard.

But a Home Office pathologist told the first day of what is expected to be a three-week hearing that he could not say which of these was the most likely. 

The father-of-three’s cause of death was officially recorded as unascertained due to the period of decomposition.

Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan’s body lay undiscovered in his room for three weeks

Relatives of Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, 33, described him as ‘intelligent’ and ‘happy-go-lucky’ but said if he was ‘bullied or targeted it was hard for him to accept’

Lance Corporal Mongan – described by his family as ‘intelligent’ and ‘happy-go-lucky’ – had joined the Army because he wanted to see the world, the court was told.

But if he was ‘bullied or targeted it was hard for him to accept’, his widow told the coroner.

Pre-inquest hearings have been told that the soldier was the victim of ‘systematic harassment, and bullying by those responsible for his welfare’.

It was also alleged that the bullies included some of Lance Corporal Mongan’s superiors in his own chain of command.

Paramedic Paula Spence who was called to reports of a ‘male, not breathing, possibly deceased’, today’s proceedings heard.

‘I found the patient face-down on his bunk with obvious decomposition,’ she said in a statement.

‘There was no evidence of self-harm of suicide but this does not completely rule out suicide as a cause of death.’ 

There were no signs of any empty packets or injuries on the body, although a heart problem could not be ruled out.

Lance Corporal Mongan was known to use pre-workout proteins, the court heard. 

A toxicology report found amobarbital in his system, but at a level associated with a ‘therapeutic dose’.

Lance Corporal Mongan was found dead in barracks at Catterick, North Yorkshire on January 23, 2020

The inquest heard amobarbital was a sedative that is not currently legally prescribed in the UK.

The inquest heard the chances of protein supplements contributing to his death were ‘vanishingly rare’ if they were obtained legally.

Forensic pathologist Dr Peter Cooper told the hearing he had ‘thought long and hard’ about whether Lance Corporal Mongan’s cause of death could be established.

‘There is nothing worse than having no cause of death,’ he said. 

‘But I do not think I can. 

‘There is not enough evidence to pull me in one direction of another.’

Earlier Lance Corporal Mongan’s mother Mary said he grew up with a passion for football, boxing and music.

She told the hearing: ‘He was intelligent, friendly with an infectious smile. He had a happy-go-lucky approach to life like myself.

‘When Bernie first told me he wanted to go into the Army when he was 18 he was very excited. 

‘He wanted to do something for himself.

‘As a mum, I was concerned but supported his decision and was proud of him.

‘It is devastating for all of us that Bernie is no longer with us. When we heard the news we did not believe it.

‘His death has left us with so many questions. 

‘We still can’t understand it. 

‘It was a shock to all of us which caused immense heartache.’

Widow Bethany Mongan, mother of his three young daughters, said although the couple were separated at the time of his death they were still in love 

They met when she was 18 and he was 21 and married in 2011, a year after the birth of their first child.

She said: ‘He was an amazing dad. He loved music, boxing – and adventure. He hoped to go to university and travel the world.

‘What he loved about the Army was travelling to different places and that was one of the reasons he joined in the first place.

‘He raised money for a charity for vulnerable children. He would do anything for anyone and had a heart of gold.

‘Bernie was a sweetheart. If he could help you he would, he was a big softie.

‘He struggled with acceptance throughout his life… If he was bullied or targeted it was hard for him to accept.’

The hearing continues. 

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