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Veteran 'Fell Between Services' Before Tragic Death
13 Oct
Summary
- Veteran's death linked to missed safeguarding and agency coordination.
- Concerns included self-neglect, chronic pain, and PTSD.
- Coroner warns of risk of future deaths due to service gaps.
A veteran's death has highlighted significant gaps in service provision, with a coroner finding that Richard Preece, 42, "fell between services." Preece, who served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was medically discharged due to serious injuries, died at his home in Aylesford in June 2025.
His sister reported struggles with chronic pain, PTSD, and adapting to civilian life. Between 2022 and 2025, there were three safeguarding referrals for Preece due to concerns including hoarding, poor personal care, and disengagement from services. However, opportunities for timely information sharing and coordinated agency responses appear to have been missed.
Despite escalating concerns, no formal multi-agency review occurred until shortly before his death. Adult Social Care was attempting an assessment, but an earlier self-neglect review was not initiated. Preece was found dead by RBLI staff and social services in his hoarded home, with the inquest concluding death by drug toxicity.
Assistant coroner Jyoti Gill issued a prevention of future deaths report, expressing concern that vulnerable adults who repeatedly decline support may not undergo structured multi-agency reviews. This systemic issue poses a risk of future deaths, according to the report.
