‘He didn’t want to be here anymore’ Regina King opens up about son’s death

In a poignant and heartfelt interview, Oscar-winning actress Regina King has shared her enduring sorrow over the loss of her son, Ian Alexander Jr., who died by suicide in January 2022 at the age of 26.

Despite the passage of time, King admits that the sadness “will never go away,” a testament to the depth of a mother’s love and the complexity of grief.

King, who has graced both the screen and the director’s chair with her talent, opened up about her journey through grief, which she describes as a path of love with no destination. She respects her son’s choice, acknowledging that his struggles with mental health were his own, and that he did not wish to continue his battle. “When it comes to depression, people expect it to look a certain way… but they did not live Ian’s journey,” King reflected.

The actress also spoke about the guilt that often accompanies the loss of a loved one to suicide, questioning what more could have been done to prevent such a tragedy. Yet, she holds onto the joy and happiness her son brought to their lives, choosing to honor his legacy and the totality of who he was.

King’s openness about her son’s suicide and her respect for his decision is a powerful message about the importance of understanding mental health and the individual experiences of those who struggle with it.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text “HELLO” to 741741 in the United States. For international resources, please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention’s website.