Antiques Roadshow expert died following post-partum psychotic episode

An inquest has heard that Antiques Roadshow expert, Alice Gibson-Watt, tragically died after suffering a suspected post-partum psychotic episode.

Aged 34, Alice lost her life just in October 2012, just four weeks after welcoming her first child, daughter Chiara, with husband Anthony Gibson-Watt.

Speaking at the inquest, Anthony explained that he and his wife were at their home in Fulham, west London, when she suddenly became hysterical for no apparent reason.

He says that Alice began screaming before she picked Chiara up and started to shake her, shouting that her baby was dead.

The jewellery specialist was then taken to a mental health unit at West Middlesex Hospital, but she suffered a cardiac arrest and died just a few days later.

Anthony admits that he thinks Alice was suffering from post-partum psychosis, an incredibly severe mental illness that can cause delusions, hallucinations and mania to women who have given birth.

Speaking to the court, he shared: “She was enthralled by motherhood. One day I will tell Chiara about her wonderful mother.

“I just hope we can get to the truth of her passing.”

The inquest at Westminster Coroner’s Court will look into how Alice was restrained when she was hospitalised and whether that would have caused the injuries that lead to her death.

The inquest is expected to last until the end of the month.