Officer took own life after tank exhaust leak
Family says soldier’s suicidal depression was partly caused by inhaling carbon monoxide
‘We gave him time off to work on his relationship. We had no knowledge of his mental problems’
A BRITISH Army soldier hanged himself after spiralling into depression and splitting from his wife following a carbon monoxide leak in his tank, an inquest heard.
Lance Corporal of Horse Michael Miah, of the Household Cavalry, became a “recluse” after the incident during an exercise in Canada in which he was forced to jump from the armoured vehicle before vomiting and passing out. The once “happy” and “sociable” 28-year-old suffered panic attacks and regularly relived the traumatic 2017 ordeal, a coroner was told.
His relationship with his wife of six years, Jessica, broke down after the incident and the couple divorced in December last year. L/cpl Miah, 28 – who joined the Army in 2013 –was found hanged in his garage two days later at Bulford army camp, Wilts.
In a written statement read to Salisbury Coroner’s Court, Mrs Miah said that her husband, who had been a childhood friend, changed as a result of the incident.
She said: “[He] had an accident in a tank that was leaking carbon monoxide. He suffered from depression ever since.
“Before that he was a caring person and very social. After the accident he became a recluse, he did not want to go out and locked himself in the house.
“He spent the majority of his time gaming. [He was told by the Army] that if he did not show improvement by a certain date then they would be pushing for a medical discharge. We started having arguments.”
L/cpl Miah’s medical notes, which were read to the court, revealed that the soldier had suffered from panic attacks since the accident and “relived” the experience when he had to drive military vehicles.
The inquest heard that L/cpl Miah had been “determined to make his marriage work,” but Mrs Miah decided to leave him, leaving a note before she left their home.
L/cpl Miah sent his wife a Whatsapp message asking her to return, but she did not reply, the inquest heard.
When Mrs Miah noticed that her husband had not been active on the messaging app for a few days, she contacted Army welfare officers who discovered her husband’s body in his garage.
An army representative told the inquest it was unaware that L/cpl Miah, who grew up in Wordsley, West Mids, suffered from any kind of mental health problems.
Lt Col Anthony Gilham, his commanding officer, told the inquest the soldier had appeared to be “entirely happy” but was aware he had problems with his marriage.
Lt Col Gilham said: “[L/cpl Miah] had discussed his marriage problems openly with chain of command. We gave him time off to work on his relationship ... we had no knowledge of mental health problems.
“He appeared entirely happy and just wanted to focus on fixing his marriage.
“[After his accident] we recommended that he should be retained because of what a good soldier he was.”
Lt Col Gilham told L/cpl Miah’s family that the Household Cavalry would “always be here for you”.
Recording a verdict of suicide, Ian Singleton, area coroner for Wiltshire, said: “Following a break-up in his marriage, Michael Miah entered a garage where he voluntarily placed a ligature around his neck.
“He was found hanged on Dec 15 2021.”