In a tragic turn of events, a grieving mother identified as Kath Brace, 32, reportedly took her own life just seven months after the loss of her one-day-old son, Otis, who passed away due to unforeseen complications following his birth. The devastating incident brought forth concerns about the adequacy of mental health care provided to Kath in the aftermath of her son’s passing.
After the tragic loss, Kath was admitted as an informal voluntary patient to The Stonebow Unit, a mental health facility in Hereford, for a period of nearly four weeks. Her admittance was a direct consequence of the profound emotional distress and mental health challenges she endured following the loss of her child. However, despite the gravity of her condition, Kath was permitted unsupervised leave from the facility and was found unresponsive in woodland approximately nine hours later by her brother. An inquest jury convened to examine the circumstances surrounding Kath’s death and determined that certain shortcomings in her care contributed to the ultimate tragedy.
The heartbreaking journey of Kath began with the joyous news of expecting Otis in 2021. However, fate had a cruel twist in store, as Kath went into labor prematurely at 33 weeks. The premature birth brought forth complications that tragically claimed the life of Otis the following day. This unimaginable loss left an irreconcilable void in Kath’s life, instigating a downward spiral in her mental health.
In the months following Otis’s passing, Kath’s mental health deteriorated. She struggled to cope with the immense grief and emotional turmoil that consumed her. In an attempt to alleviate her pain, Kath made an attempt to overdose on June 17, 2022, which resulted in her detention under the Mental Health Act. Despite these concerning events, Kath was eventually granted release. However, her struggles persisted, forcing her to postpone her wedding to her fiancé, Dan.
On September 15, Kath was detained once more after another suicide attempt. Despite the severity of her condition, she was still granted unsupervised leave from the unit. Sadly, on October 9, Kath made two additional suicide attempts, prompting the removal of her unescorted leave privileges. However, this decision was reversed just nine days later when Kath informed the unit that she would be making a brief outing to purchase coffee before returning for a scheduled visit with her mother.
Tragically, Kath’s brief absence ended in tragedy. Just hours later, her lifeless body was discovered in nearby woodland. The inquest jury, after careful deliberation, concluded that Kath’s death was self-inflicted. Furthermore, the jury endorsed the findings of an internal report conducted by the Trust, acknowledging that certain failings in Kath’s care contributed significantly to the events leading to her demise.
In the wake of this tragic loss, Kath’s family has bravely come forward to share their heartbreak and advocate for improvements in maternity bereavement care and mental health support. Kath’s mother, Angie Brace, described her daughter as a radiant and compassionate individual who dedicated her life to bringing joy to others. She expressed profound sorrow at the loss of her beloved child, leaving an unfillable void in their family forever.
Aimee Brackfield, a specialist public law and human rights lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Kath’s family, highlighted the devastating impact of Kath’s loss on her family. She emphasized the need for thorough investigations and improvements in patient care to prevent similar tragedies. The family has vowed to continue speaking out to ensure that others receive the adequate care they deserve, especially during times of profound grief and mental health struggles.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. There are resources available, including the Samaritans, which offers free support and emotional assistance. Their helpline can be reached at 116123.
