Inquest reveals mother and son, Mayawati and Julian Bracken of Pangbourne, died by unlawful killing and suicide

THE reason a teenager stabbed his mother to death before killing himself in front of a speeding train could forever remain a mystery.

The only possible clue to the double tragedy was offered by a paramedic who had visited the family home a few days earlier, following an argument over Christmas dinner.

South Central Ambulance Service paramedic Chris Dinsey attended the Bracken family home in Pangbourne, where Julian, 18, was suffering a panic attack.

Mr. Dinsey noticed an “overwhelming dynamic” from the matriarch, Mayawati Bracken.

In a statement read out at an inquest into the deaths of the mother and son, held at Reading Town Hall on Tuesday, December 3, Mr Dinsey said he noticed Ms Bracken seemed “too affectionate” towards his son.

The hearing heard that Julian, 18, was due to return to his school, the prestigious Radley College in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, on January 4 this year.

The mother and son left the family home in Flowers Hill, Pangbourne, after 5pm on January 4 – but minutes later villagers saw the car drive down the hill and cross a junction with Tidmarsh Road, stopping traffic coming in the opposite direction.

In the driver’s seat was Ms. Bracken, dying from a stab wound to the chest.

Bystanders attempted to resuscitate themselves until an air ambulance and medics arrived.

But it was hopeless and Ms Bracken, 56, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Meanwhile, his son had gone to Pangbourne station, where he found himself in front of a speeding train, which had fatal consequences.

A knife, recovered from the family home, was later found abandoned nearby, with Ms Bracken’s blood on it.

Post-mortem tests determined Ms Bracken died from blood loss and shock from a chest injury, while her son died from multiple injuries.

Toxicology tests showed no evidence of illegal drugs or alcohol in either case.

Julian also had no history of criminal tendencies or mental health issues, according to the investigation.

The only potential clue came from Mr Dinsey, who had gone to the family home on Christmas Day last year after Julian suffered an apparent panic attack.

Mr Dinsey said in a statement that he was trying to calm Julian down when Ms Bracken came into the kitchen and told him she had to go around him to kiss her son.

He added: “She was too affectionate… there was an overwhelming dynamic from her. »

When he asked one of Julian’s siblings what had triggered the panic attack, she replied: “Just family stuff,” Mr. Dinsey said.

There had apparently been an argument over the contents of a Christmas dinner, according to the investigation.

Julian then said: “You know – fuck mom.”

Mr Dinsey said he managed to calm Julian down, but the appearance of his mother in the kitchen seemed to trigger him and “took us back to square one” and he felt there was a ” accumulated anger.

He added: “Her reaction didn’t develop – it just went straight to the highest level.”

The only other clue came from one of Julian’s siblings who said she tried to put goodbye gifts in his backpack before he left for college – but noticed he was reluctant to give him access.

In hindsight, according to the investigation, the police wondered if he already had a knife in his backpack.

The investigation heard police speak to Julian’s university friends, but all described him as happy, normal and into games like other teenagers his age.

Ms Connor said: “The events of January 4 this year are tragic but clear.

“It appears that Mrs. Bracken intended to take Julian back to the university early in the evening.

“At the start of this journey, it appears Julian used a knife from the family home to stab his mother, causing her to lose control of the vehicle.

“He moved slowly towards the road and stopped.”

Ms Connor concluded that when Julian stepped in front of a high-speed train at Pangbourne station, he did so with the intention of ending his life and took his own life.

She noted that police had said Julian would have been investigated for murder or manslaughter had he lived and concluded Ms Bracken’s death was an unlawful killing.

* ANYONE seeking help can contact the following organizations:

It’s time to talk: www.t2twb.org or call (01635) 760331. You can also find help and advice on the charity’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts (all @t2twb) or by emailing an email to [email protected].

You can visit www.recoveryinmind.org and find a number of resources to help you take care of your mental health.

Eight Bells for Mental Health: www.eightbellsnewbury.co.uk – call 07387 962220 – email [email protected]

Mental Health Crisis Team – call if you need urgent help, but it’s not an emergency 0300 365 0300 or 0300 365 9999

Sane Line – www.sane.org.uk – call 0300 304 700

Childline: www.childline.org.uk – 0800 1111

Mind: www.mind.org.uk – 0300 123 3393 or text to 86463

The Samaritans: www.samaritans.org – call 116 123 – email [email protected]

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