Trigger Warning: Suicide. This story contains details that may be distressing to some readers.
Graham Thorpe, one of England’s most celebrated cricketers, passed away after taking his own life following a prolonged battle with depression and anxiety, as revealed by his family in a recent interview.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced Thorpe's death last week at the age of 55. In an interview with Mike Atherton for The Times, Thorpe's wife and daughters confirmed that he died by suicide.
Thorpe had been away from cricket since his dismissal as an assistant coach for England following their 4-0 loss in the 2021-22 Ashes. Although he was set to become the head coach for Afghanistan, he never took up the role after an earlier suicide attempt in May 2022 left him critically ill and hospitalised.
His wife, Amanda, shared with The Times that Graham had been battling severe depression and anxiety for the past couple of years. This struggle led to a serious suicide attempt in May 2022, resulting in a prolonged stay in intensive care. Despite moments of hope and signs of his old self returning, Thorpe continued to suffer from debilitating mental illness. Although the family supported him, and he tried various treatments, nothing seemed to provide lasting relief.
Amanda highlighted that while Graham was known for his mental toughness on the field and maintained good physical health, mental illness is a serious condition that can affect anyone. Despite the love and support from his wife and daughters, he was unable to overcome his struggles. In his final days, he believed his family would be better off without him, a belief that devastated those who loved him when he acted on it.
Amanda described Thorpe as "a free spirit" and shared that he had been well enough to attend a dinner at The Oval in late 2022. She recalled fond memories of him in Barbados, enjoying a rum punch and reggae music after a swim, highlighting his humour and the joy he brought to those around him.
Thorpe's elder daughter, Kitty, expressed that the family is not ashamed to talk about his death, as they feel there is no stigma in sharing the truth. They had initially kept his struggles private in an effort to protect him and help him recover. Now, however, they want to share their story and raise awareness about mental health. Kitty reflected on how her father loved life and his family, but ultimately couldn't find a way out of his pain. She described the heartbreak of watching him become withdrawn and unrecognisable, trapped by his illness. She expressed relief that the public remembers him for the vibrant person he was before mental illness took over, which is how he deserves to be remembered.