Introduction to the Tragic Event
The children of a man who killed his wife in a psychotic episode before taking his own life have expressed that they will not blame their father for what happened. Chris and Ruth Stone-Houghton died at their home in Portsmouth in September 2022. An inquest heard the family had been “not fully supported” after Chris was released from a psychiatric hospital weeks earlier.
The Family’s Experience
Chris and Ruth were loving and caring parents, and they were devoted to each other. They had a great childhood and were very close as adults. Chris ran a jewelry store where Ruth also worked. He had no previous mental health issues, but as the company struggled during the Covid pandemic and ultimately closed in April 2022, he began experiencing delusional thoughts. He became increasingly paranoid, mistakenly believing that his phone and computer were listening in on him, and fearing that someone was out to get him.
Chris’s Mental Health Struggles
Chris was eventually diagnosed with psychotic depression and attempted suicide in July 2022. He was admitted to a psychiatric ward at St James’ Hospital in Portsmouth, where the family expected he would spend several months. However, within four weeks he was released home against the family’s wishes. Ruth was “extremely afraid” that her husband would hurt himself more, the inquest heard. The family felt that being a loving family worked against them, as staff may have felt they didn’t have to worry about him being returned home as much as in other cases.
Inadequate Support and Care
The family did not receive adequate advice on how to care for Chris after his release. They were left to figure things out on their own, hoping for the best. The consultant psychiatrist, Dr. Denzel Mitchell, said the decision to discharge Chris was made in part because he had not self-harmed or had any psychotic episodes on the ward. However, the coroner found that the manner in which the discharge was implemented was "uncertain" and there was an "inadequate risk assessment". Chris had refused anti-psychotic medication at home in the past, and this was not adequately addressed.
The Tragic Outcome
On September 14, 2022, Chris killed Ruth at their family home in Portsmouth before taking his own life. The coroner concluded that Chris was “probably affected by a psychotic episode”. The death was unforeseeable, and Chris and Ruth were a "loving and happy" couple. The children, Oliver and Abbie, said they were "very close" as a family and did not blame their father for what happened. They believe that their father was unable to commit such an act as a sane person and that it was the illness that caused these events to happen.
Aftermath and Reflection
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust expressed their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ruth and Christopher. They stated that they have learned from this and other cases to continually improve the way they care and support people in mental health crisis and their families. The family hopes that their story can help raise awareness and improve support for those struggling with mental health issues.
