Thomas Kingston's parents, Jill and Martin, made an emotional appeal on BBC Radio 4's Today show to raise awareness about potential side effects of antidepressants.
In a poignant interview, Jill and Martin Kingston, parents of the late Thomas Kingston, made an emotional plea to raise awareness about the potential side effects of antidepressants. The appeal comes nearly a year after their son's shocking death by suicide at age 45 in February 2024.
A Life Cut Short
Thomas Kingston, a financier and former hostage negotiator, was found dead at his parents' home in the Cotswolds on February 25, 2024. The cause of death was determined to be a "traumatic wound to the head," with a gun found near his body. Kingston married into the royal family in 2019 when he wed Lady Gabriella Windsor, daughter of Prince Michael and Princess Michael of Kent, and a second cousin to King Charles.
The tragedy unfolded on what seemed like an ordinary day. Jill Kingston recounted, "He was normal, he was fun, we were laughing about various things — there was nothing that raised any suspicions in our mind." The family had spent time together, had lunch, read books, and sat by the fire. It was only when Thomas went to unload his car that the unthinkable happened.
The Role of Medication
According to reports, Kingston had recently stopped taking his prescribed antidepressant medication in the days leading up to his death. This detail has become a focal point for his family's campaign to improve awareness and safety measures surrounding the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a commonly prescribed class of antidepressants.
With the royal family's support, the inquest into Kingston's death, held at Gloucestershire Coroner's Court on December 3, 2024, Lady Gabriella Winsor emphasized her belief that Thomas's "impulsive action" was likely triggered by an adverse reaction to the medication he had been taking in the weeks prior to his death. "If this could happen to Tom, this could happen to anyone," she stated, her voice breaking with emotion.
A Call for Change
The Kingstons are now advocating for more comprehensive steps in prescribing SSRIs. Their proposals include requiring patients to sign a document acknowledging they've been informed about the challenges of starting and stopping the medication, and the possibility of suicide.
Involving a close person - be it a spouse, partner, parent, or friend - in the prescription process to provide support and monitoring.
"There are two things we would really like to see changed," Jill Kingston explained. "One is that every person who is prescribed SSRIs actually sign something that said they had been told about the difficulties of going on and the difficulties of coming off. They were aware — it's an extreme case — but it could lead to suicide. They need to be told that and have written something that showed that they'd heard."
The Ripple Effect of Loss
The impact of Thomas Kingston's death extended far beyond his immediate family. The couple spoke about receiving over 400 cards and letters following their son's passing, which they displayed in their hallway as part of their grieving process. Martin Kingston shared, "Part of the leaning into the pain process was to put up in our hallway at home, the over 400 letters and cards, gluetack them to the wall. In part, because so many of them told us things we never knew."
A Legacy of Kindness
Despite the tragedy, Thomas Kingston's parents are determined to preserve the memory of their son's positive impact on the world. Martin Kingston, fighting back tears, expressed his wish for Thomas to be remembered "as someone with a big smile on his face while helping people to do difficult things."
Official Response and Future Actions
The senior coroner for Gloucestershire, Katy Skerrett, has called for further action regarding the risks to patients prescribed SSRIs. In January 2025, Skerrett issued a prevention of future deaths report, stating that additional measures should be taken to address the potential risks associated with these medications.
The BBC reported that Thomas had been prescribed Sertraline and Zopiclone by a doctor at Royal Mews Surgery after reporting insomnia due to work-related stress. He was later switched from Sertraline to Citalopram when the initial drug proved ineffective.
The coroner's report, sent to several U.K. health and medical agencies, questioned whether there had been clear communication about the risks of these medications. These agencies now have a few weeks to respond to the coroner's concerns.
A Continuing Mission
As the first anniversary of Thomas Kingston's death approaches, his family's mission to raise awareness and push for change in the prescription and monitoring of antidepressants continues. Their story serves as a stark reminder of the complex nature of mental health treatment and the critical importance of informed, careful medical care.
Through their grief, the Kingstons are working to ensure that their son's untimely death might lead to positive changes that could potentially save other lives in the future. Their courage in speaking out and pushing for reform stands as a testament to Thomas Kingston's legacy - a legacy of helping others, even in the face of immense difficulty.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
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