Graduate son of Karcher jetwash tycoon shot himself dead with air pistol in front of his father in family’s £1.5m farmhouse after struggling to find first ‘proper job’, inquest hears

A manufacturing businessman has described the terrifying moment his troubled son put an air gun to his head and shot himself; But he described how he still believes his death was an accident.

James Keeping, 25, who suffered from mental health problems, had been drinking and arguing at the family’s £1.5million farmhouse in Oxfordshire on the day he died.

He was educated at the £8,000-per-term Bloxham School in Banbury and the £12,000-per-term d’Overbroeck’s School in Oxford, achieving A-levels in politics, economics and drama before taking a degree in marketing and management at Newcastle University.

But after graduating in 2024, he struggled to find a meaningful career, working short-term jobs at a deli and mushroom farm, while becoming depressed because of his lack of progress.

James talked about his efforts to find a job on his LinkedIn account, writing: ‘I know I don’t have a long CV yet, but I’m keen, motivated and not afraid to get stuck in.

‘Whether it’s working on earthquake relief efforts in Nepal or supporting conservation diving projects in Mexico, I’ve shown that I can adapt and persevere.

‘These experiences taught me to stay grounded, stay curious, and never take opportunities for granted. More than anything, I’m looking for a role where I can learn, contribute and grow.

‘If you’re hiring or would be happy to share any advice with someone just starting out, I’d really appreciate it.’

A profile picture on James’ LinkedIn page. He had struggled to find a meaningful career while falling into depression due to lack of progress.

A picture of James on his father’s LinkedIn profile. Simon Keeping also posted messages on the social media platform asking acquaintances if they could help his son find a job.

Shortly before his son’s death, business leader Simon Keeping, 65, posted on LinkedIn asking if anyone he knew could help James find a job.

The businessman, who ran jet washing company Karcher for 20 years, wrote that ‘it can be difficult for young people to find their first ‘proper job”, adding: ‘Call it nepotism, but I would love to give my son James the opportunity.

‘If you don’t mind sharing it with your networks, I know he and I would really appreciate it.’

James replied: ‘I didn’t know my father sent this. Thank you, Dad.’

Mr Keeping told an inquest at Oxford Coroner’s Court that he did not believe his only son James had intended to kill himself when he fired the gun because it was an air gun, a weapon not normally associated with death.

He said James had been experiencing increasing problems in the months leading up to his death and was in a bad mood following late night drinking.

Mr Keeping said: ‘He pulled out the air gun and said “Ha!” he said. and put it on his head. There was an explosion and everything went silent.

‘I don’t believe he wanted to take his own life.’

Mr Keeping explained: ‘Common sense said this modified air gun wouldn’t work, but it did.’

James committed the deadly act on February 15 this year at the family farm at Duns Tew, near Bicester, Oxon, just after saying goodbye to his girlfriend, with whom he had just celebrated Valentine’s Day.

James had seen a doctor regarding his mental health and admitted to having some suicidal thoughts, but also said he did not think he would harm the people he cared about by taking his own life.

His girlfriend, Lesha Jennings, who has known him for five years, told the inquest: ‘It was clear his mental health was deteriorating. He said life was shit. “He said how difficult it was.”

The day before, on Valentine’s Day, Keeping remembered going out together and staying up late before returning to her parents’ house.

‘We returned to him and continued talking about how he was feeling until 4am,’ he said.

James continued drinking before taking Lesha home to Oxford with his father the next day.

When they came back, he was still upset, so he first grabbed a knife from the kitchen and started waving it around.

He had become argumentative and complained about his unemployment.

Despite his father convincing him to drop the knife, he then pulled out a modified air gun, pointed it at his head, and shot himself.

An ambulance was called, but James was already dead.

Toxicology reports showed he had 234 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood at the time of his death; this was almost three times the drink-driving limit.

The inquest heard that James was born in Austin, Texas, but was adopted at an early age by Mr Keeping and his wife Christine, 63.

James posed for a photo with his father when he was little. Simon Keeping ran jet washing company Karcher for 20 years

Simon Keeping, pictured, described the terrifying moment his troubled son put an air gun to his head and shot himself – but he still believes his death was an accident, an inquest has told

Mr Keeping, who was managing director of the German cleaning equipment company from 2005 until last year, told the court his son was a member of the shooting club during his time and had a shotgun licence, at one point.

However, he gave up his license because he was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder and also suffered from anxiety.

Mr Keeping said James tended to be ‘extremely obsessive’ about certain things and had an interest in air guns, modifying them, including ones thought to be capable of killing.

Coroner Nicholas Graham gave a narrative verdict, saying he could not record a verdict of suicide but also could not record a verdict of accidental death.

He said: ‘There is insufficient evidence to conclude that he planned to take his own life.’