On June 22, 2025, Kelsey Parker took to Instagram to share the devastating news of the passing of her baby boy.
In an emotional Instagram post, 34-year-old radio presenter and widow of The Wanted star Tom Parker shared that Phoenix was "born sleeping," with messages of love and sympathy being shared from everywhere in the world.
This heartbreaking tragedy follows three years after Kelsey lost her husband Tom Parker to brain cancer in 2022. She has been open ever since about dealing with life, loss, and motherhood with their two young children, Aurelia and Bodhi. Her latest pregnancy was one that was tinged with hope, reflection, and remembering what could have been.
Kelsey Parker on losing the baby and why the tribute went viral
The news of Kelsey's stillbirth hit the headlines nationally not only because she was a celebrity, but also because she spoke of her grief openly, in poetic terms. Kelsey posted a poem about Phoenix, which portrayed love, longing, and pathetic sadness, a testament that moved many parents who have had to walk the same path.
Kelsey Parker has often been open to the public about grief and mourning. After Tom's passing, she had openly discussed her life as a widow and single mother on her podcast Mum's the Word. With Phoenix, she and Will were beginning anew. Kelsey had discussed in interviews how excited they were, even stating that her daughter Aurelia had been keen on naming the baby "Parker" if it were a boy.
The loss of Phoenix, shared on the post, was met with support, not just for the baby, but for the strength it took to speak that loss out loud. Kelsey Parker later posted a message asking for privacy, acknowledging that while the support meant a lot, her family needed space to grieve.
For Will Lindsay, this was to be his first child. In earlier interviews, he had expressed how naturally he had bonded with Aurelia and Bodhi. Stepping into a blended family and embracing fatherhood, Will had become a steady presence. Kelsey Parker had once written a Father’s Day tribute to Tom, thanking him for “sending” Will into their lives, a line that now carries even more emotional weight.
The name “Phoenix” symbolizes rebirth and hope, a fitting choice for a child whose presence, though brief, left a profound mark. Kelsey’s message was not just a farewell; it was a declaration of love that will never fade.
As she continues to navigate loss, Kelsey remains a voice for those who grieve in silence. Her tribute to Phoenix, shared in pain but with grace, reminds one of the power of naming, remembering, and loving no matter how short the time together was.