Dunedin Sound icon 'overwhelmed by challenges' before death
WARNING: This story contains content that may be distressing to readers.
A coroner has found musician Hamish Kilgour was overwhelmed by life's challenges before his death.
The co-founder of Dunedin band The Clean died by suicide in November 2022, following a marriage breakdown in New York and a new start in Christchurch.
'Like a brother': Dunedin Sound icon Hamish Kilgour remembered
Kilgour had been living for decades in New York, where he had a wife and son, but travelled to New Zealand on tour in 2019 and could not leave because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame said Kilgour returned to New York in 2022 but his marriage ended and he found himself alone and homeless.
Kilgour moved back to New Zealand, a decision his psychiatrist described as separating him from his family, work and social connections.
He spoke to a GP about his adjustment struggles, including living away from his son, a sense of cultural dislocation and lack of money, while friends grew concerned about his low mood, drinking and talk of ending his life.
Kilgour was admitted to Christchurch's Burwood Hospital in April, then discharged in May.
He was readmitted four days later, having told a community mental health nurse his mental state was deteriorating and he was feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of starting life over in New Zealand.
During his second hospital stay, Kilgour tried to abscond and was placed under compulsory patient status, before showing signs of improvement.
Coroner Cunninghame said Kilgour used Burwood Hospital as a base from which to establish himself in the community and began painting again.
His medication was reduced and in meetings with clinical staff Kilgour was not considered to be clinically depressed.
On November 26 Kilgour was granted overnight leave to stay with his partner, having passed a mental health assessment by nursing staff.
The following day his partner dropped him in town on her way to work, where he said he would catch a bus back to the hospital.
Kilgour was last seen that afternoon on CCTV, shopping at a Countdown supermarket.
Coroner Cunninghame said Kilgour should be remembered as the gifted artist he was, not who he may have become.
"The Clean was famous and influential within indie rock circles all over the world.
"I have read many obituaries and articles about Mr Kilgour's contribution to music, and I cannot do justice to his memory in these findings as well as other writers have done," she said.
The Clean were described as one of the most influential bands to come from the Flying Nun label when they were inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame in 2017.
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.
Samaritans: 0800 726 666.
Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds.
Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.
OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.
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Otago Daily Times
7 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Musician's death ruled suicide
A celebrated former Dunedin musician was experiencing "cultural dislocation" at the time of his death, a coroner says. Hamish Robert Kilgour, 65, died in Christchurch's red zone about November 27, 2022, after more than six months of mental-health struggles after returning to New Zealand from New York. Coroner Allie Cunninghame, in her recently released findings, ruled the death a suicide. Mr Kilgour was born in Dunedin in 1957 and 21 years later founded the band The Clean with his brother David. The influential group, under the Flying Nun label, became synonymous with the "Dunedin Sound" movement. The Clean were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2017. A psychiatrist who treated Mr Kilgour before his death said he "should be remembered as the gifted musician and artist that he was, and not who he may have become". In New York, the separation from his wife left him "alone and homeless", prompting his return to his homeland in 2022, the coronial findings said. Though he started a new relationship with a Christchurch woman, the coroner said the wrench of leaving family and friends in the United States and the "cultural dislocation" that came with that could have been a factor in his death. Mr Kilgour initially saw a doctor in March or April that year, complaining of low mood and poor sleep. He noted he had witnessed traumatic events in his lifetime, including the September 11 World Trade Centre attack and the Christchurch earthquakes, the findings said. Friends became concerned about Mr Kilgour's increased alcohol use and shortly afterwards he was admitted to Burwood Hospital as an informal patient. After being treated with medication and clinical psychology, he was discharged a month later, but it was only a few days before he was readmitted because of his spiralling mental state. "He continued to remain dependent and morose on the ward," the coroner said. Mr Kilgour was briefly made a compulsory patient after attempting to abscond the hospital. In the three months before his death, things appeared to improve. Mr Kilgour used Burwood Hospital as "a base" and increasingly spent overnight leave with his girlfriend. "He began painting again and as time progressed, the content of the paintings became less dark," the coroner said. His medication was reduced and his depression was considered to have been treated. Just days before his death, Mr Kilgour was described by his partner as "forward thinking" — they had dinner, watched a movie, and when they parted on the morning of November 27, his demeanour appeared "normal". He was found a week later by a member of the public walking through the red zone. Nearby was a notebook in which he wrote about feeling "stuck", and a laptop on which he had emailed his ex-wife, referring to his emotional struggles, distress about problems with his teeth and his belief that medication was not helping him. The coroner said she was satisfied there had been no departure from a reasonable standard of care by mental-health professionals, and there were no suspicious circumstances. Mr Kilgour's problems had piled up following his return from the US, but the coroner said it was unclear which was the primary factor precipitating his death. "The evidence before me does not allow me to pinpoint the reason why Mr Kilgour decided to take his life," she said. Need help? Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust: 027 240-0114 Need to talk? 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number Healthline: 0800 611-116 Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543-354 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828-865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Samaritans: 0800 726-666 Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787-797 General mental health inquiries: 0800 443-366 The Depression Helpline: 0800 111-757
Otago Daily Times
21 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Hamish Kilgour overwhelmed by problems before death
WARNING: This story contains content that may be distressing to readers. A coroner has found musician Hamish Kilgour was overwhelmed by life's challenges before his death. The co-founder of Dunedin band The Clean died by suicide in November 2022, following a marriage breakdown in New York and a new start in Christchurch. 'Like a brother': Dunedin Sound icon Hamish Kilgour remembered Kilgour had been living for decades in New York, where he had a wife and son, but travelled to New Zealand on tour in 2019 and could not leave because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame said Kilgour returned to New York in 2022 but his marriage ended and he found himself alone and homeless. Kilgour moved back to New Zealand, a decision his psychiatrist described as separating him from his family, work and social connections. He spoke to a GP about his adjustment struggles, including living away from his son, a sense of cultural dislocation and lack of money, while friends grew concerned about his low mood, drinking and talk of ending his life. Kilgour was admitted to Christchurch's Burwood Hospital in April, then discharged in May. He was readmitted four days later, having told a community mental health nurse his mental state was deteriorating and he was feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of starting life over in New Zealand. During his second hospital stay, Kilgour tried to abscond and was placed under compulsory patient status, before showing signs of improvement. Coroner Cunninghame said Kilgour used Burwood Hospital as a base from which to establish himself in the community and began painting again. His medication was reduced and in meetings with clinical staff Kilgour was not considered to be clinically depressed. On November 26 Kilgour was granted overnight leave to stay with his partner, having passed a mental health assessment by nursing staff. The following day his partner dropped him in town on her way to work, where he said he would catch a bus back to the hospital. Kilgour was last seen that afternoon on CCTV, shopping at a Countdown supermarket. Coroner Cunninghame said Kilgour should be remembered as the gifted artist he was, not who he may have become. "The Clean was famous and influential within indie rock circles all over the world. "I have read many obituaries and articles about Mr Kilgour's contribution to music, and I cannot do justice to his memory in these findings as well as other writers have done," she said. The Clean were described as one of the most influential bands to come from the Flying Nun label when they were inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame in 2017. Where to get help: Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason. Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357. Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends. Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202. Samaritans: 0800 726 666. Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@ What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds. Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English. Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254. OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Dunedin Sound icon 'overwhelmed by challenges' before death
WARNING: This story contains content that may be distressing to readers. A coroner has found musician Hamish Kilgour was overwhelmed by life's challenges before his death. The co-founder of Dunedin band The Clean died by suicide in November 2022, following a marriage breakdown in New York and a new start in Christchurch. 'Like a brother': Dunedin Sound icon Hamish Kilgour remembered Kilgour had been living for decades in New York, where he had a wife and son, but travelled to New Zealand on tour in 2019 and could not leave because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame said Kilgour returned to New York in 2022 but his marriage ended and he found himself alone and homeless. Kilgour moved back to New Zealand, a decision his psychiatrist described as separating him from his family, work and social connections. He spoke to a GP about his adjustment struggles, including living away from his son, a sense of cultural dislocation and lack of money, while friends grew concerned about his low mood, drinking and talk of ending his life. Kilgour was admitted to Christchurch's Burwood Hospital in April, then discharged in May. He was readmitted four days later, having told a community mental health nurse his mental state was deteriorating and he was feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of starting life over in New Zealand. During his second hospital stay, Kilgour tried to abscond and was placed under compulsory patient status, before showing signs of improvement. Coroner Cunninghame said Kilgour used Burwood Hospital as a base from which to establish himself in the community and began painting again. His medication was reduced and in meetings with clinical staff Kilgour was not considered to be clinically depressed. On November 26 Kilgour was granted overnight leave to stay with his partner, having passed a mental health assessment by nursing staff. The following day his partner dropped him in town on her way to work, where he said he would catch a bus back to the hospital. Kilgour was last seen that afternoon on CCTV, shopping at a Countdown supermarket. Coroner Cunninghame said Kilgour should be remembered as the gifted artist he was, not who he may have become. "The Clean was famous and influential within indie rock circles all over the world. "I have read many obituaries and articles about Mr Kilgour's contribution to music, and I cannot do justice to his memory in these findings as well as other writers have done," she said. The Clean were described as one of the most influential bands to come from the Flying Nun label when they were inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame in 2017. Where to get help: Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason. Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357. Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends. Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202. Samaritans: 0800 726 666. Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@ What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds. Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English. Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254. OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.
