Teen ‘knifed his mum to death in car then killed himself on train tracks just hours after family painting day’

A TEEN knifed his mum to death before killing himself on a train track just hours after enjoying a family painting day, an inquest heard.

Julian Bracken, 18, was being driven back to Radley College in Oxfordshire in January this year when the horror unfolded.

The teen stabbed his mum Mayawati Bracken – known as Maya – causing her to lose control of the family’s Lexus.

After the 56-year-old crashed, Julian went to Pangbourne railway station where he was hit by a train and killed.

Coroner Heidi Connor today concluded Mayawati was unlawfully killed, while Julian died by suicide.

The inquest was told he would have likely been charged with either manslaughter or murder had he survived.

Despite extensive investigations by police, no motive for Maya’s killing has been established.

The court heard how Julian lived with Maya and his siblings in an area of Pangbourne, Berkshire, known as “Millionaire’s Row”.

Ten days before the horror, emergency crews had been called to the house following a row over stuffing at the family’s Christmas dinner.

Paramedics told the court there was smashed glass on the floor and appeared to have been a “lot of anger” between the mum and son, who had suffered a panic attack.

One of the crew, Chris Dinse, said Maya’s daughter had described the argument as “just family stuff” but he uttered “f***ing mum”.

The paramedic said Maya had attempted to give her son a kiss and was being “overly affectionate”.

Mr Dinse added: “It seemed like quite an overpowering dynamic from her.”

On January 4 this year, Maya had taken photos of the family painting together before taking her son back his £48,000-a-year boarding school.

She was discovered dead inside her Lexus by members of the public after losing control.

The inquest heard a witness saw a man walking away from the car while carrying a knife.

This was discovered close to the train station where Julian was killed and matched those at the family home.

CCTV also captured the student on the train track before he was hit by the train at around 6.17pm.

A post mortem found Maya died from a stab wound to the chest, while her son had suffered multiple injuries.

The court heard that Radley College identified no issues of any significance while Julian was a pupil.

There was also nothing significant on his electronic devices and no messages or letters regarding any intention to take his own life.

One of the officers said: “Unfortunately we haven’t been able to ascertain any reason as to why this took place.”

Ms Connor said: “I am easily satisfied in this matter Julian’s actions at Pangbourne railway station were indeed intended to take his own life.

“This was a deliberate act that involved the death of his mother earlier that day.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.