PC David Rathband's brother has tweeted that he is on the way back to England from his adoptive home of Australia, after the policeman wounded by Raol Moat was found dead at his house in Northumberland.
The blinded officer and father-of-two had recently took an extended holiday with his brother Darren, spending Christmas and New Year with his sibling and leaving only a few days ago.
PC Rathband arrived in Australia on 10 December, after announcing in November he was separating from his wife Kath. It is suspected that Rathband committed suicide on Wednesday, just days after leaving his brother.
Darren Rathband wrote on social media site Twitter:
"On way back to the UK, to be at my brothers side. RIP Police Constable 190 David John Rathband Please support blue lamp foundation."
PC David Rathband set up the Blue Lamp Foundation to support members of the Emergency Services that had criminally injured whilst on duty. Rathband was fitted with prosthetic eyes after he was shot at close range by crazed killer Raoul Moat in July 2010.
Darren Rathband, who tweets under the name @dagsdownunder, made a plea for others to help those in need on the social media site last night. He wrote: "Some people look like pencils after trauma and loss. On the exterior functioning well, on the inside broken. Do you know any pencils??"
Darren had been tweeting supportive messages to his brother since the blinded officer left Australia, only a few days ago. On 25 February, Darren replied to a tweet from his brother telling him that "asking for help does not make you less of a man."
Other messages that were shared between the two brothers included cryptic references to David's ex-wife Kat, and the veiled allusion "others just seem to be interested in money."
However some of the others messages posted on Twitter were more positive. A picture of PC David Rathband drinking a beer was put up, under the strapline "Sunshine heals some of the scars."
The two had shared barbeques outside during the Australian summer and appeared to be having a good time. However PC Rathband had protected his account. On 21 December Darren wrote: "How nice to have your best mate, meet you bestest mate... Lovely to have him down under for a while"
PC David Rathband relaxing in the sun
Tributes have been pouring in for the officer, with Prime Minister David Cameron, describing him as an "extraordinarily brave man". Mr Cameron said it was important that those injured while serving in the line of duty get the care they need, adding: "I feel desperately sorry for his family."
Former Scotland Yard commander John O'Connor said the consequences of PC Rathband's injuries had been "too much for him to live with", adding on ITV's Daybreak: "No amount of counselling or compensation can give you back what you've lost and that's the bottom line of it."
In a statement on its website, the Blue Lamp Foundation said: "It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of David Rathband.
"Since being shot in July 2010, David struggled to come to terms with his horrific injuries and the traumatic effect they had on him and his family and friends.
"David's legacy will live on in the form of The Blue Lamp Foundation, which bears his name.
David Rathband with his brother days before his death
Need help? In the UK, call The Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90. For more support and advice, visit the website here.