UK model Dorian Thomson, 41, hangs self over torturing toothache

Updated: 16 Feb 2012
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A former model hanged himself after suffering years of crippling toothache, an inquest heard today. 
 
Dorian Thomson, 41, who worked as a model and as an art director for a Japanese fashion company, suffered from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which causes increased elasticity in muscles and joint tissue. 
 
But the court heard Mr Thomson, of north west London, suffered from toothache in every tooth for six years which he believed was triggered by a visit to the dentist, Westminster Coroner's Court heard.   
 
Dorian Thomson, 41, was described as 'outgoing' and 'sociable' before a visit to the dentist left him in constant pain
Dorian Thomson, 41, was described as 'outgoing' and 'sociable' before a visit to the dentist left him in constant pain
 
His friend Ross Illingworth told the court that, as a result of his condition, Mr Thomson suffered from sleep deprivation and a lack of nutrients as he was unable to eat properly 'because of damage to his teeth'. 
 
He said: 'He was in an enormous amount of pain, almost all of his jaw suffered from tooth ache. [The pain] was unceasing... For the last few years of his life he was taking morphine.' 
 
Mr Illingworth, 41, who had been friends with Mr Thomson for ten years, said he had been helping him put together 'evidence concerning the orthodontistry which left him with his teeth in that condition' in the time before his death.
 
Mr Illingworth was due to meet him on December 7 last year but arrived at his friend's flat in Maida Vale to find him hanged. 
 
He told the court: 'He was hugely outgoing. He very much enjoyed the social life and social activities. He was previously a model and a model booker and a large amount of that job is social and he thrived on that. He was a high-flyer.' 
 
Mr Thomson had previously attempted to take an overdose.  
  
Mr Thomson eventually hanged himself after suffering crippling toothache for years, the inquest heard
Mr Thomson eventually hanged himself after suffering crippling toothache for years, the inquest heard
 
'I talked to Dorian about it and given the amount of medication, he was trying to end his life', said Mr Thomson. 
 
He was in 'more pain than anyone could ever conceive of for about six years', he added, and 'in addition to his tooth ache from every single tooth he suffered from Temporomandibular joint disorder. It meant that there was no support from his jaw and the jaw joint had been worn down.' 
 
By the time of his death, he said, Mr Thomson had become antisocial thanks to 'the onslaught of pain'. 
 
He described his body as feeling like it 'had pins in it' when he walked, which would cause 'grievous amounts of pain'. 
 
He told the inquest Mr Thomson, who turned on the Regent Street Christmas lights in 1999, had spoken about contacting Swiss assisted dying group Dignitas. 
 
'Given the degenerative nature of his condition and the complete lack of help that he was being given, he wanted to know that there was a way out,' said Mr Illingworth. 
 
Recording a verdict of hanging, adding that Mr Thomson killed himself 'while his mind was disturbed', 
 
Coroner Dr William Dolman said he was 'a man suffering from a number of serious medical problems.
He had the genetic disorder EDS and the orthodontic treatments had not been successful. 
 
'He was a man in severe, constant pain for many years... He clearly had been a highly successful, outgoing man, but retreated into himself... he had issues with the unsuccessful treatment he had with orthodontics.'     
  
Mr Thomson had worked as a male model and as an art director for a Japanese fashion company before his tragic death
Mr Thomson had worked as a male model and as an art director for a Japanese fashion company before his tragic death
   
He added: 'This intelligent man knew he had come to the end of his tether. A man with no way out of his predicament but to end his life.' 
 
Mr Illingworth said outside court Mr Thomson had undergone treatment to realign his jaw. 
 
He said: 'The EDS was triggered by orthodontic treatment and when that went wrong the orthodontist dumped him and refused to deal with him anymore. Other orthodontists were refusing to treat him and his condition deteriorated. 
 
'We believe there is systematic failure in the knowledge of EDS. We have to improve knowledge of it and get testing for it before orthodontistry or any form of surgery. That was Dorian's wish, that nobody should ever go through it again.' 
 
His partner of 12 years, Susan Millard, 48, added: 'I want to raise awareness of this. If any person can be prevented from going through what he went through it is worth it.'     
 
SOURCE: Daily Mail
 

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