BBC radio host committed suicide after walking off live show, inquest hears

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BBC radio host committed suicide after walking off live show

Vicki Archer, a 41-year-old BBC radio host who suddenly, without explanation, walked off her live show Aug. 6 and was found later that day dead from an apparent suicide.

A 41-year-old BBC radio host who suddenly, without explanation, walked off her live show Aug. 6 was found later that day dead from suicide, a British inquest heard.

Vicki Archer killed herself by hanging in her Shrewsbury home, the BBC reported.

The divorced mother of three was found in her home by Lee Holyoake, her stepfather, the Shropshire Coroner’s Court inquest was told. Holyoake, in a statement, said he tried to revive Archer and that “alarm bells started to ring” after he and Archer’s mother learned the host had left work early.

John Ellery, a coroner, said the radio host suffered from depression and had tried to take her own life twice before.

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"We have heard that Victoria had made two previous attempts to take her own life in the past and she suffered from depression,” Ellery said. "It is not necessary, nor is it appropriate to go further into her personal and private life."

Ellery said Archer “left her radio show mid-air whilst it was thought she was going for a break.”

Archer worked at the BBC Radio Shropshire for more than 20 years and had been the presenter of an afternoon show since 2010. She also was a successful voiceover artist and event host.

Archer’s family said in a statement the host was “a wonderful mother and daughter.”

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"She could light up a room. While we will always miss her we want to remember and celebrate everything that she achieved which is why in the spring we are planning a memorial celebration of her life,” a statement from her family read.

David Jennings, the BBC’s head of regional programs in West Midlands, said in a statement the station was “heartbroken."

“We are heartbroken at Vicki’s death,” Jennings said. “Everyone at Radio Shropshire respected her as a great presenter and journalist, but so much more than that, we loved the sense of fun she brought to her shows and the station. Her loss leaves a huge void. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”