It was an emotional day for Malik Bunton’s family as the court heard how the 21-year-old RAF technician had hidden his struggles from those closest to him.
Malik, a cyberspace specialist who joined the Royal Air Force in 2021, was found dead in his single living quarters at RAF Leeming on July 17 2023.
An inquest at Northallerton heard that Malik had shown few signs of crisis until March 2023, when he entered the River Ouse in York after a night out and later told hospital staff he had felt suicidal but regretted the action.
His sister Amy described their final exchange: a welfare text on July 16 met only with a single thumbs-up emoji.
The inquest, which continues this week, is examining the support available to personnel at RAF Leeming and the events leading up to Malik’s death.
Remember, when life is difficult, Samaritans are available day or night on 116 123 or at samaritans.org.
