In her first in-depth interview, Jessica Barrett shares the devastating story of losing her twin sisters and how her family later came to believe that akathisia, a recognised adverse drug reaction linked to antidepressants and other medications, played a significant role in the tragedy
Host Katinka Blackford Newman interviews Jessica Barrett (Nee Crespi), daughter of David Crespi, who in 2006 killed his five-year-old twin daughters in what Jessica describes as a prescription-drug-induced state after a two-week medication escalation that included Prozac, Trazodone, Ambien and one night of Lunesta, alongside an antibiotic. Jessica recounts her close childhood relationship with her father, his intermittent stress-related insomnia and medication cycles, the day she learned of the deaths, and seeing him in apparent psychosis. She explains how her mother’s research, including Peter Breggin’s Medication Madness, led the family to suspect a drug reaction and akathisia, and discusses his plea deal, prison medication changes, eventual tapering, and their ongoing grief, forgiveness, and hope that others will question and closely monitor psychiatric medications. Jessica's faith has helped her come to terms with what happened and she now co-hosts the Something... About Catholics podcast on Spotify.
For more information about antidepressant harm, withdrawal and informed consent, visit the not-for-profit organisation founded by host Katinka Blackford Newman - www.antidepressantrisks.org
Katinka is also an accredited life coach helping people go from stuck to unstoppable. Find out more at www.kbnlifecoaching.co.uk
00:00 Jessica’s Story Begins
00:51 A Normal Childhood
03:51 Dad’s Stress and Med Cycles
07:46 The Drug Cocktail Before
09:09 The Day Everything Changed
13:34 Aftermath and First Visit
17:30 Akathisia and Medication Clues
24:02 Trial and Life Sentences
26:20 Grief and Returning to School
30:21 Stopping Meds in Prison
33:00 Remembering and Reframing
35:53 Justice and Ongoing Impact
40:26 Forgiveness and Her Own Reaction
42:58 Book Publicity and Lessons
44:24 Final Takeaways and Outro
