Bereaved mum urges parents to discuss child death

Dr Rosa Hunt's son Chris died a few days before Christmas 2022

Losing a child is "every parent's nightmare" according to a religious minister, who believes everyone should talk about their experiences.

Dr Rosa Hunt’s son, Chris, who was 25, died a few days before Christmas Day in 2022.

While natural causes was recorded for his death, his family believe he took drugs to fill an “emptiness” in his life.

Dr Hunt said losing her son has made her a better minister at Tabernacle chapel in Cardiff.

Chris was awarded a first class honours degree after studying at Exeter University

Chris had tried to take his life more than once, according to Dr Hunt.

“The first time that happened, was during his first year at university, and we know that he tried twice afterwards – every time slightly less serious," she said.

“That was a comfort because it was a sign that he was trying to get help," said Dr Hunt, who occasionally presents All Things Considered on BBC Radio Wales.

While it is was officially noted that Chris died of natural causes, she believes his death was an accident, linked to his use of drugs.

Chris was intelligent, studying GCSE mathematics in primary school and had a first class honours degree from Exeter University. He was also a talented musician.

His mother described him as “somewhat different since he was a young boy”.

“He was always a very faithful friend, popular with his friends at school, but he didn’t want to be there," she added.

"It was a shock finding out how serious the drugs problem was, but he didn’t want us to know, " says Dr Rosa Hunt

In his first year in university, a close friend took his own life, and that was an “awful and lonely experience for him,” she said.

Although he was happy among his friends at university, his family urged him to seek mental health support.

“It was a major shock to get a WhatsApp message from him very early one morning saying ‘I’m sorry, I’m in hospital. I took an overdose’… the second shock, which was an even bigger shock… was discovering he was taking drugs,” said Dr Hunt.

“Later it was a shock finding out how serious the drugs problem was, but he, of course, didn’t want us to know.

“He loved us so much, and he would be ashamed.”

Dr Rosa Hunt now works with homeless people who suffer from addiction

Dr Hunt believes it was his way of coping with his problems and emptiness in his life.

She said: “But what happens, of course, is that the problem gets worse, and it’s a vicious circle.”

She recalled the day she got the “dreadful news” of his death, a few days before Christmas.

He was meant to return home to celebrate with the family.

“His death, most likely, was an accident, as he’d packed Christmas presents for us,” she added.

“I can’t imagine anything worse than losing a child. It’s every parent’s nightmare to lose a child.

“I looked after him for 25 years, I fed him, stayed up with him when he was ill … I constantly thought of him, especially during the last few years when he was ill.”

Dr Hunt said she gained strength from her faith.

She now feels like the experience has made her a better minister, and works with homeless people.

“Some of them take drugs or alcohol, and every time someone wants a chat with me for being addicted to drugs, I think every time that this could be Chris, and I want to be there for them.

“I understand now that this can happen to anyone – even people like Chris who was raised in a family who loved him so much.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, BBC Action Line has links to organisations which can offer support and advice.