Misadventure conclusion over teenage soldier's death
Jack Burnell-Williams, from Bridgend, was found dead just days after taking part in the Queen's funeral
Last updated 12th Feb 2026
A teenage soldier found hanged in his barracks days after escorting Queen Elizabeth II's coffin died as a result of misadventure, a coroner has ruled.
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams, 18, was found dead at Hyde Park Barracks in London on September 28 2022.
An inquest concluded that Mr Burnell-Williams, originally from Bridgend in Wales, did not have a settled intention to kill himself.
Assistant coroner Bernard Richmond KC, concluding the inquest at Inner West London Coroner's Court on Thursday, said Mr Burnell-Williams's death was "completely, it seems, out of all character".
He went on: "I'm quite satisfied that Jack's action on that day was an act of an impetuous nature."
The coroner said Mr Burnell-Williams was "plainly under stress" because of the "frankly ridiculous hours that members of his troop were expected to work".
"Whatever he did was done, in my judgment, in a moment of anguish.
"I reject the proposition that he formed a settled intention to kill himself - it was at worst a cry for help and more likely, in my view, an expression of frustration and despair."
Mr Burnell-Williams died nine days after taking part in the late Queen's state funeral procession, the inquest heard.
The hearing was told that he had joined a "particularly stressful branch of the Army" and that "everyone must have been exhausted" while preparing for their ceremonial duties.
Mr Richmond said there was a culture in the regiment of people having to "pull their weight" and that Mr Burnell-Williams was undertaking more duties.
He had also wanted to join the Welsh Guards, the inquest heard.
The trooper's mother Laura Williams said in a statement read in court: "Jack achieved more in his short lifetime than many do in a full one.
"One of our proudest moments was seeing him take part in ceremonial duties at the late Queen's funeral. We were all incredibly proud that he was part of such an important moment in history.
"When Jack first joined the Army, he was so happy.
"He was proud, excited and loved coming home to show us everything he had achieved. But as time went on, something changed. The light inside him slowly dimmed and his cheeky smile faded. We barely spoke because he was constantly exhausted and had no time.
"When the police knocked my door, my immediate thought was that Jack had been injured and was in hospital.
"When they told me what had happened, I couldn't believe it and I was in shock. I still don't feel like I have accepted Jack has gone."
His father Daniel Burnell said in a statement that his family were "so proud" that his son was involved with the state funeral, adding: "We watched him on TV with tears of joy running down my face.
"I will never forget the day Laura rang me and said, 'You need to get here now, it's Jack, the police are here, it's bad'.
"When she told me my whole world fell apart, my heart ripped from my chest. That is not a feeling any parent should ever go through.
"There is so much more to Jack's life it would take forever to write it all down. He brought so much joy to everyone he met.
"Now all we have are cherished memories and a huge hole where Jack should be.
"He is missed so much every day. Life can never be the same without him and his heart and smile."