Mel B speaks out on 'tragedy' of ex-Royal Marine bodyguard's death by suicide
Mel B has spoken out about the death of her bodyguard and former Royal Marine Ash Nickless after he took his own life.
The 31-year-old left the Royal Marines four years ago but suffered with post-traumatic stress disorder and was reportedly refused help from two medical centres before being found dead in his North Wales home last week.
The Daily Star reports the Spice Girl described his death as “tragedy for his family, but it’s also a tragedy for all of us”.
Speaking about Nickless being turned away from treatment centres, Mel B said: "[It was] a damming indictment of the lack of help for those suffering PTSD who are in such desperate need."
The mother-of-three has also shared that she discussed PTSD with Nickless, claiming she suffers from the condition after being "emotionally abused" in her marriage to Stephen Belafonte.
“I talked a lot to Ash about PTSD. I suffer from it as a result of an emotional abusive marriage and he suffered from it as a result of what he went through and what he saw in war zones," she stated.
Brown became acquainted with Nickless when he acted as a bodyguard for her eldest daughter Phoenix.
She said: "I remember thinking, 'this man would take a bullet for my child'. Our worlds were so different, but we had a connection.
"When I had to do a tour for my book, Brutally Honest, I wanted him by my side because it was tough for me and he understood trauma on every level. He was with me in the run up to the Spice Girls tour, too."
Addressing the tragic circumstances of his death, the singer went on: “I guess I now just think, ‘why didn’t he call me?’ But I know he was so very proud and he wanted everyone to believe he could cope. That is devastating.”
Mel B has previously spoken out about the psychological effects left by her "abusive" ex husband Belafonte, saying she wakes from nightmares believing he has cut off one of her fingers.
She's said the terrors stem from something he threatened to do to her before their 2016 split.
For confidential emotional support at times of distress, contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.
