Kelsey Parker Reflects on Her Journey One Year After Stillbirth

Kelsey Parker is reflecting on the heartbreaking loss of her son, Phoenix, and the controversial treatment she received from the police—an experience that is both distressing and not uncommon—one year after he was stillborn during a home delivery.

“The year has been an immense struggle to come to terms with everything that transpired,” Kelsey, 35, shared on the Monday, June 22, episode of the British morning show This Morning.

Kelsey, who was married to Tom Parker of The Wanted, and welcomed two children with him before his passing in 2022, recalled that the birth of her third child—with partner Will Lindsay—was incredibly swift and began with a “natural labor at home.”

“My mum, my auntie, my partner Will, and my children were present. I ended up having Phoenix at home,” Kelsey explained. “It was meant to be a planned home birth, but it didn’t go as expected.”

The motivational speaker noted that her midwife couldn’t reach her in time, and when she delivered Phoenix in June 2025, “It was clear that Phoenix was no longer with us.”

Following the loss, Kelsey had to call emergency services in the U.K., and she described the ordeal as “horrendous.”

“It was deeply shocking how I was treated, how Will was treated, and how the entire family was treated,” she stated. “It’s taken me a year to find the strength to speak about it.”

Kelsey revealed, “When the paramedics arrived, they took Phoenix from me, and I only got to hold him for nine minutes.”

She recounted that the paramedics called the police, and Phoenix was taken away in an ambulance while Kelsey was transported to the maternity ward despite her requests to see her baby one last time.

“I pleaded with [the paramedics], saying, ‘Please, I want to be with my son, and don’t put me on the maternity ward where I’ll hear other babies crying,’” Kelsey said. “But they still placed me there.”

Kelsey also shared her disbelief at how the police treated her home shortly after the death of her baby.

“As I left my home, the police entered and declared it a crime scene,” she revealed. “It was terrifying; I found myself wondering, ‘What do they think I’ve done?’”

Despite her heartache, Kelsey went into protective mode, addressing the officers: “Can we be mindful about the language used here? There are two children present who can hear everything,” referring to her and Tom’s kids, Aurelia, 6, and Bodhi, 4.

During the broadcast, co-host Ben Shephard read a statement from the Met Police, acknowledging their shortcomings in handling such a sensitive situation.

“We recognize that referring to the address as a crime scene was inappropriate, and the family deserved to be treated with more sensitivity,” the message stated. “Measures are being put in place to prevent this from occurring again. A detective inspector has offered to meet with the family alongside a child bereavement nurse, and arrangements are underway.”

The King’s Hospital Foundation also expressed, “We extend our deepest sympathies once again to Kelsey and her family for their loss.”

A representative for the London Ambulance service stated, “We sincerely apologize for any additional distress caused,” adding that they have met with Kelsey and her family to discuss the events.

Kelsey confirmed she met with the ambulance service to address her care and was taken aback by some of their responses.

“When I met with the ambulance service, they admitted they were sorry, but their paramedics hadn’t encountered a deceased baby before,” she recounted. “That just devastated me. What am I supposed to say to that? You’re the ones I’m depending on during such a critical time.”
When co-host Cat Deeley commented, “I have no idea where you find your strength,” Kelsey replied, “I have no choice but to be strong.”

She reflected on losing Tom in March 2022, when she had an 18-month-old and a 2-year-old, followed by the traumatic stillbirth last year. (Tom passed away at 33 after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, an inoperable brain tumor, in 2020.)

“Perhaps I’m experiencing these challenges to help others because I am resilient, strong, and incredibly positive,” Kelsey concluded.

Though Kelsey has faced significant heartache, she announced last month that she and partner Lindsay are expecting another child.

“A year ago next month, we lost our beautiful baby boy, Phoenix 🤍,” Kelsey wrote on Instagram on May 31, sharing a sonogram video. “And somehow, through all the heartbreak, it feels like Tom and Phoenix have sent us another little gift from heaven—our little rainbow baby ✨.”

On Monday, Kelsey proudly displayed her baby bump, telling viewers, “I feel really good. I’m not anxious.”