ROWAN THOMPSON'S TRAGIC END IN HAMBLEDON: A HORRIFIC ATTACK AND MENTAL HEALTH FAILURE

In a tragic and disturbing incident that shocked the quiet Hampshire village of Hambledon, 17-year-old Rowan Thompson carried out a brutal assault on his mother, Joanna Thompson. The events unfolded on July 1 of the previous year, leaving the community in shock and raising serious questions about mental health care and support systems.

According to reports from the inquest, Rowan had just returned from a jog with his mother when the violence erupted. Without warning, he strangled Joanna until she lost consciousness, an act that was both sudden and violent. Following this, he proceeded to stab her multiple times—specifically targeting her neck, forehead, and arm—using several knives he had with him. The attack was relentless and horrifying, with the inquest revealing that Rowan inflicted a total of 118 stab wounds on his mother.

Emergency services were contacted at approximately 12:45 pm, with Rowan calmly informing the operator of the gruesome details. He reportedly said, “I’ve just killed my mum … I strangled her and I’ve been stabbing her with various knives and whatnot.” During the police and medical investigations, Rowan described feeling “strange” and claimed to have been on “auto-pilot” during the assault, indicating a disturbed mental state at the time.

Pathologist Dr. Basil Purdue provided further insight into the severity of the attack, confirming that despite Joanna Thompson being unconscious, her heart was still beating when Rowan continued stabbing her. This detail underscores the brutality of the assault and the extent of her injuries.

At the time of the incident, Rowan was a 17-year-old who was scheduled to stand trial at Winchester Crown Court. However, before the proceedings could take place, he was found dead in a hospital in Greater Manchester. Authorities ruled his death as not suspicious, and it was later confirmed that he had died by suicide. The inquest revealed that Rowan had visited his mother over the weekend prior to the attack and had a reportedly difficult conversation with her regarding his living arrangements. Despite the violence, those close to Rowan described him as loving towards his mother and noted that he had no history of aggression before the incident.

It was also disclosed that Rowan had minor autism, but he was not considered to have any severe mental health issues or “abnormal mental functioning.” His father, Marc Thompson, expressed deep concerns about the mental health system’s failure to adequately support his son. He stated that more could have been done during Rowan’s stays at mental health facilities to prevent such a tragedy.

The inquest concluded with a verdict of unlawful killing, highlighting the tragic consequences of unmet mental health needs. Rowan’s case has prompted calls for a review of mental health services, especially for young individuals with complex needs. His inquest was scheduled to take place in Manchester next year, as the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating event.