'Loved and valued' Windsor GP took her own life, inquest concludes

A ‘much loved and valued’ doctor who worked at Dedworth Medical Centre took her own life, an inquest has concluded.

Dr Kathryn Simpson, 56, died at her home from a stab wound on September 27, 2024.

Evidence showed this was self-inflicted, and the coroner felt confident to conclude Dr Simpson intended to take her own life that day.

Her death shocked the community – and Dedworth Medical Centre, announcing it, paid tribute to her as a ‘highly respected doctor to her many grateful patients.’

An inquest in writing report by Justine Spencer, assistant coroner, outlines how Dr Simpson, known as Katie, had a medical history of stress and anxiety.

She had been signed off work since the end of 2023 with a brief return in July 2024.

Because her mother had dementia, Dr Simpson was concerned about herself, too, in light of her own memory difficulties.

She contacted Windsor and Maidenhead Memory Clinic and arranged genetic tests looking for a specific gene which carries a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The result turned up positive.

However, carrying the gene does not mean a person will definitely develop the condition. MRI scans were normal, and the mental health team felt a dementia diagnosis was unlikely.

In August, Dr Simpson's mental health deteriorated, and she started medication. She was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital in September for anxiety and sleep deprivation.

Six days later she was discharged and referred to the crisis resolution team for ongoing help.

Dr Simpson was reviewed by a psychiatrist on September 25, two days before her death, and admitted to being distressed about her memory concerns – but she denied any active suicidal intent.

A diagnosis of severe depressive episode was made, alongside a care plan, and a review with the psychiatrist was agreed for the following week, plus a home visit by the crisis team.

The inquest report said that, on the night Dr Simpson died, she went upstairs to bed half an hour before her husband at about 11pm. He discovered her apparently sound asleep.

The next morning at 7am, he found her lying on her front in the kitchen with a stab wound.

He phoned 999 and tried to resuscitate her. Emergency services attended and police and paramedics and continued resuscitation.

But attempts were not successful, and decision was made to cease resuscitation at 8am and call time of death.

Thames Valley Police investigated and concluded no evidence of third-party involvement. No final correspondence from Katie was found.

For a coroner to conclude suicide, they must determine that the person probably took their own life, and that they probably intended that to be the outcome.

There was no evidence that Dr Simpson’s cognition was disturbed by drugs or alcohol. She chose a time when the family were asleep and she would not be disturbed, and she did not call out for help.

This, plus the 'deliberate and effective means' she used to take her own life, caused Ms Spencer to reach a conclusion of suicide.

As well as the cause of death, the pathologist also determined there was no evidence of brain disease sufficient to have caused dementia.

In a tribute to her shortly after her death, Dedworth Medical Centre wrote:

“It is with deep sadness that we must announce the passing of our dear colleague Dr Katie Simpson.

“Dr Simpson was a much loved and valued colleague and friend to us all at Dedworth & South Meadow Surgeries, as well as a highly respected doctor to her many grateful patients.

“Katie was also a devoted mother, wife and daughter, and our thoughts are very much with her family at this incredibly sad time.”

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