Putney Pusher Suspect Found Dead

Nicholas Brandram, a 44-year-old private banker, was found unresponsive at his home in Chiswick, west London, on Tuesday, September 15, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Metropolitan Police stated that his death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Brandram had been arrested on June 15 on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm. The arrest was in connection with an incident on May 5, 2017, when a jogger shoved a female pedestrian into the path of an oncoming bus on Putney Bridge. At the time of his arrest, Brandram was also rearrested on suspicion of possession of Class A and Class B drugs, believed to be cocaine and cannabis, following a search of his £1.4 million home.

He was released under investigation while inquiries continued. Brandram's identity had been the subject of intense online speculation following his arrest, but he could not be named for legal reasons until after his death.

Brandram was a director at HSBC's private bank and was suspended following his arrest. He is described as a decorated former British Army captain who served in Iraq, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. He was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his military service.

In 2013, Brandram was involved in a collision with a female cyclist on Hyde Park Corner. He pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after a road accident, receiving a fine and penalty points. At the time, he told magistrates he did not realize he had collided with her due to the size of his motorcycle.

The incident on Putney Bridge occurred during rush hour in May 2017. A woman was shoved onto the road, narrowly avoiding being hit by a double-decker bus. The bus driver, Oliver Salbris, credited his quick reactions with preventing a more serious outcome. The jogger reportedly continued on his run and was seen passing the victim again about 15 minutes later.

An earlier investigation into the Putney Pusher incident had interviewed 50 men and led to the arrest of three suspects, but no charges were filed. The investigation was closed in 2018 before new information prompted Brandram's arrest.

Brandram was the grandson of Princess Katherine of Greece and Denmark, a descendant of Queen Victoria. His late father, Paul Brandram, was a City executive. His cousin, Queen Sofia of Spain, expressed great sadness at his father's death in 2020. Nicholas Brandram had a successful career in the City, working in finance before joining HSBC. He was previously nominated for Private Banker of the Year for 2026.