TV Producer Who Died by Suicide Told Numerous Health Professionals He Was Considering Suicide

Medical professionals repeatedly missed critical warning signs despite a television producer’s explicit statements about ending his life, a Feb. 20 inquest revealed.

According to Deadline, John Balson, a 40-year-old documentary filmmaker working on Channel 4‘s In The Footsteps of Killers, expressed suicidal thoughts to multiple healthcare providers in the weeks before taking his own life on May 17 last year. The coroner’s inquest, attended by Balson’s widow, mother, and brothers, uncovered a disturbing pattern of missed opportunities to intervene despite escalating risk factors.

“Despite all the consultations and medication prescribed, John decided to end his life,” coroner Roger Hatch concluded during the three-hour hearing. “I sadly conclude that his death was due to suicide.”

Evidence presented at the inquest painted a troubling picture of Balson’s final weeks. By April 21, a doctor had classified him as “high risk” after he discussed self-harm and suicidal ideation. Balson’s mother expressed to medical professionals that she “couldn’t keep him safe” at that time. Just one day later, however, Balson visited an Accident & Emergency department but was discharged without receiving a psychological risk assessment, despite instructions that he should undergo evaluation.

The situation deteriorated further by May 15, only two days before his death, when Balson described feelings of “helplessness and hopelessness” to doctors and explicitly detailed how he planned to commit suicide. According to medical testimony, despite these clear warnings, a doctor determined there was “no immediate risk” because Balson “denied intent” to act on his thoughts.

When questioned by the family’s legal representative about why Balson wasn’t referred for in-patient care, the doctor testified she believed his family connections would prevent him from taking his life. “I was convinced when he said he wanted to be with his family that these were protective factors [that would stop him from committing suicide],” the doctor stated.

Perhaps most alarming was the report from Balson’s general practitioner, who noted that three weeks before his death, Balson was “saying he wanted to end it all.” A counselor later informed this GP that Balson appeared closer to acting on these thoughts, even saying this would be “the last time he would speak to me,” suggesting imminent suicide. The counselor recognized that the “protective factors” of Balson’s family were “diminishing.”

Work-related stress emerged as a significant factor in Balson’s deteriorating mental health. Before his death, he had stopped working on the documentary series. His final letter to his family, read in court, established connections between television production pressure and his mental health challenges, which eventually manifested as physical symptoms, including intense head and chest pain along with persistent dizziness.

“He felt the [physical] symptoms were brought on by work-related stress which he mentioned in a consultation,” the GP’s report stated. “Suicidal ideation came as a result of the [physical] symptoms becoming unbearable. It was clear he had been making plans for a while.”

Medical records revealed Balson had “expressed concerns over stress working on a documentary about pedophile cases” and told another doctor that “he shouldn’t have done so much work as a documentary filmmaker.” These professional pressures were compounded by the death of his brother when Balson was in his twenties.

The inquest also highlighted potential systemic failures. A mental health professional testified that Balson had been assessed for in-patient care weeks before his death but wasn’t committed because he didn’t want that intervention, and the trust respected his wishes. A report from this professional noted that Balson’s family felt they were “not being allowed to express opinions” during these assessment sessions. The healthcare trust involved has launched an investigation to prevent similar situations.

Channel 4 continues its own investigation into Balson’s death, with findings expected in coming weeks. Questions remain about whether the show Balson was working on, the third season of In The Footsteps of Killers, will ever air. Alaska TV, the production company behind the series, has previously stated that employee wellbeing is of “paramount importance” but declined further comment pending Channel 4’s investigation.

Balson’s widow, Yumeno Niimura, has previously described his death as “a failure of the industry.” His case has sparked industry-wide reflection on the dangers of overwork in factual television production, discussions that Deadline reports will “continue long into 2025.” A GoFundMe page has been established to support Balson’s family.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline​. The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available.