Broadcaster Channel 4 is said to have launched an investigation after producer John Balson reportedly took his own life following working on true crime series In the Footsteps of Killers
Channel 4 is said to have launched an investigation into the death of a producer.
John Balson, 40, reportedly took his own life after working on the broadcaster’s true crime series In the Footsteps of Killers. He died on May 17 and now his family have spoken out to raise awareness of working on factual TV. Channel 4 has said it was “deeply saddened” by Balson’s death and has instructed a legal firm to investigate, while also remaining in contact with his family.
They have pledged to take “whatever action is appropriate” as they instructed legal firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC). A decision has not been made on whether the show will be broadcast. Balson worked on In the Footsteps of Killers in the first four months of 2024. The dad-of-one, whose wife is pregnant with their second child, reportedly told his family he received threats from someone associated with a person he was researching.
His wife has said Balson was blamed by the production for a family declining to take part in the show. She claimed he became exhausted and led to physical symptoms associated with vestibular migraine disorder. Balson’s mental health is also said to have deteriorated.
An inquest into his death has not yet taken place. Alaska TV, the producer behind the show, told Deadline the wellbeing of its employees was of “paramount importance” but declined to comment further. Balson started working on the programme in January as part of the third season of In the Footsteps of Killers.
It is a true crime show in which actress Emilia Fox and criminologist David Wilson investigate famous cold cases. The publication, who have been in contact with Balson’s family, reported he sought help from medical professionals in March. Before his death, Balson was told he likely had a form of vestibular migraine disorder.
He decided to stop working around a month before he died. Channel 4 reportedly said there will be a “thorough investigation” that will be “as swift as circumstances allow.” A GoFundMe page has been set up on behalf of Balson’s wife Yumeno and three-year-old daughter. They wrote: “Ultimately, unable to escape this severe brain condition, and suffering from chronic panic disorder and insomnia, he passed away alone, without anyone by his side. We feel terribly let down by the health care system and were left to deal with this alone even though all the experts were told how dark his thoughts had become.”
A statement from Channel 4 read: “Channel 4 was deeply saddened by the news of John’s death, and our thoughts are with his wife and family at this incredibly difficult time. John was a highly respected and much-loved professional – both amongst his colleagues at Alaska TV and those who worked with him across the industry – and will be sorely missed.
“We are in ongoing contact with John’s family and offering them our support. We are also in a dialogue with [the union] BECTU and have engaged an external law firm to undertake a thorough investigation, which will be as swift as circumstances allow. We will take whatever action is appropriate in response to its findings.
“While we do not employ production staff directly, the wellbeing of all those working on the productions we commission is vitally important and is something we take very seriously. We are committed to supporting our production partners in ensuring those productions are safe and professional workplaces, with safeguarding measures in place. Our Supplier Code of Conduct outlines our commitments and is well communicated to all production companies we work with.”
Alaska also shared a statement to the publication that read: “It was with great sadness that we learned of John’s passing – an extremely talented and thoughtful Director, he will be hugely missed by us all. The wellbeing of our all staff is of paramount importance, and whilst we’re unable to comment further given the investigation with Channel 4, our thoughts and love are with John’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”
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The Mirror has contacted Channel 4 for comment.
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