Family 'investigating ex-soldier son's death alone'

The family of a former soldier say they have been forced to investigate his death on their own and feel let down by the authorities.

Rob Homans' family told a pre-inquest review hearing they are investigating over concerns "a third party was involved in his death".

Homans, 35, was homeless and sofa surfing when he was found dead in Worcester in August 2025, with high levels of heroin in his system. During the hearing, West Mercia Police agreed the family has "legitimate concerns" and officers would investigate.

The former Royal Horse Artillery soldier completed two tours of Afghanistan and had experienced years of mental and physical health problems since leaving the Army in 2015.

"We shouldn't have to do the job of the police - until now we've felt that nobody has been listening to us," Dawn Turner, Homans' mother, told the BBC after the hearing.

"Several members of the public have told us that they know what happened to Rob that night, and the names of people who may have been involved.

"We want the police to investigate thoroughly."

The inquest heard how a 999 call was made to police on the night of the former soldier's death, and he was seen by members of the public.

At the inquest, his family asked whether witnesses could be identified, and if the contents of his mobile phones could be downloaded.

Barnabas Branston, the police force's solicitor, told the hearing "these appear to be legitimate concerns".

Also speaking at the hearing, Det Sgt Jamie Bullock said he would appoint officers to investigate and the force "will put a foot down to find out what happened that night".

"It's important to speak to everybody involved in the events of that night as part of the investigation," he said.

Turner set up charity Stepway in 2019 to support veterans, following a suicide attempt by her son.

She has also started a campaign called Rob's Army - Justice for Veterans, to urge the government to treat veterans better.

"He had depression, anxiety, panic attacks and complained of headaches," she said.

"He lived in London after he left the army, and he collapsed on the Tube on the way to work because he was so ill.

"Like so many people, he masked his symptoms, but he felt nobody was listening."

Rob's sister, Jade, said he had taken previously taken cocaine but not heroin.

"We talked every day, he occasionally took prescription drugs but never heroin," she said.

Homans moved back to Worcestershire after a divorce and applied for housing, but his family say he wasn't treated as a priority.

Worcester City Council had been invited to send a representative to the review hearing, but nobody was in attendance.

The inquest heard how his family had complained to the authority's housing department about his treatment.

"A month before his death, safeguarding concerns were raised by a councillor about Rob," said his mother.

"As a former soldier, he should have been given priority. The council has signed the armed forces covenant, but they didn't abide by it."

Ahead of a full inquest into Homans' death Deborah Lakin, assistant coroner for Worcestershire, said she would consider whether the council should be made an interested party.

A second pre inquest review hearing is due to take place in September.

• If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line website.

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