Soldier, 19, found dead in military barracks as his dad reveals family is ‘absolutely heartbroken’
THE devastated family of a teenage soldier found dead in military barracks have said they are “absolutely heartbroken”.
Ebrima Nyabally, 19, was found dead in his room at the barracks in Tidworth, Wiltshire, at 9pm on February 25.
Now, his parents said they were “struggling to get closure” and are desperate for information about their son who joined the military at 17.
Ebrima’s dad Malang Nyabally, who was working a night shift when his son died, had to rush home when a police officer attended their address at about 2am.
Speaking of the tragedy that “tore my family apart”, the 48-year-old said: “I struggled to drive home that night. It is difficult to put into words how I felt.”
Mr Nyabally, a veteran of the British Army, added: “I am absolutely heartbroken. He did not die in the war, he died in the barracks.”
The grieving dad described Ebrima – who moved to the UK from Gambia when he was six – as a “shy, generous and kind young man who had his whole life ahead of him”, adding he was a “promising young man”.
And Mr Nyabally is now seeking more information from the Army about his son’s death.
He claimed that Ebrima was put on a “unit risk register” the day before he died.
Ebrima’s parents said they felt like they were “left in the dark”, as his dad added: “I am so angry about everything. I wanted to see his body. I wanted to see the place where he did it. We want answers.
“What hurts us most is that we cannot see his face. We do not know what we are going to find.
“I was so proud of him. He was the one who would have carried on my legacy.”
Mr Nyabally said that having to tell the devastating news to Ebrima’s three siblings “was the worst thing that I had to do” as they were “all crying”.
He explained: “He was very generous. He used to send us £100 every month. He was very caring. He had a very strong faith as well.
“He has never been unhappy in the army. Ebrima loved life.”
An Army Spokesperson said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm the death of a soldier in Tidworth on 25th February 2023.
“Our thoughts are with the soldier’s family and friends at this difficult time and we ask that their privacy is respected.”
A spokesperson for the Wiltshire & Swindon Coroner’s Court confirmed that an inquest has been opened into the death of Ebrima.