Shawn Simpson’s untimely death has raised awareness of mental health concerns in the general population.
Former ice hockey player and on-air personality Shawn Simpson took his last breath on January 29, 2025.
Despite having a short playing career, Simpson’s broadcasting efforts helped him build an enormous following.
A Five-Year-Long Extramarital Affair Ruined Shawn Simpson’s Marriage!
While the late Shawn Simpson had an illustrious career, his personal life was not always smooth and happy.
Simpson never met his biological parents; he was born and adopted in Vancouver, British Columbia.
However, he and his adoptive family moved out a lot. First, they moved to Chatham, Ontario.
Then, his family relocated to Canadian Forces Base Rockcliffe when he was five.
While the pain of never knowing his biological parents always lingered in his heart, his adoptive parents, Lyle and Shirley, also divorced when he was 10, adding more sadness to his life.
After the divorce, his father remarried, and his mother relocated multiple times between the ages of ten and sixteen.
Despite finding a home and adoptive parents, his entire upbringing was fraught with instabilities.
Hence, his tumultuous upbringing deeply scarred him, significantly impacting his life and contributing to his struggles later on.
Moreover, his childhood trauma and desire to be loved made him destroy his happy marriage, too.
When Simpson was 25, he met his ex-wife, Susan. He eloped and married Susan, finally finding love and security in his life.
“I wasn’t in love, but I found stability. Career-wise, things took off … scouting, TV, management, running summer camps.”
Shawn Simpson
The former couple welcomed two sons, Shayne and Sloan. Furthermore, he was Washington’s assistant GM.
So proud of my son Shayne. pic.twitter.com/Qz1DGNhToa
— Shawn Simpson (@SimmerDownCIH) June 17, 2023
Simpson finally discovered his purpose in life: scouting, television, management, and running summer camps.
However, this happiness and stability were short-lived as he got embroiled in infidelity.
In 2002, he met a girl pursuing modeling while in New York. They quickly got attached and started an extramarital affair which lasted from 2002-2007.
“For someone who had so much instability growing up, you think you’d go into something that gave you more stability, but it’s almost like a drug where you enjoy the pressure. I don’t know if this is related to being adopted, but you’re searching for love. You want to be wanted. In 2002, I’m in New York City, I run into a girl doing some modelling. We ended up getting involved and it went from there. That went on from 2002-2007.”
“That ultimately led to the breakdown of my marriage. I got caught. I wouldn’t say it was the only infidelity in my marriage, but this was the constant.”
“When you enter the airport, it’s like you’ve entered a different world. The Shawn Simpson that when he’s home, he never looked at another girl. When you’re home, you’re stable, you’re with your family. When you go to the airport, it’s like a switch goes off, you become a different person.”
Shawn Simpson
Hence, this marked the ultimate breakdown of his marriage. According to him, it was not just infidelity that destroyed his marriage, but the cheating was a constant factor.
Even before marriage, Simpson always had relationship and commitment issues.
Draft day dreams do come true 🙂 #Caps #Habs #Roy pic.twitter.com/x0AiIHcwca
— Shawn Simpson (@SimmerDownCIH) June 29, 2024
After being drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 1986 NHL draft, he got into trouble at a summer camp for bringing girls into the room.
“I got off track again. Money, girls, drinking. I did whatever I wanted. I had no structure. You’re on your own. I never thought I was that great, but I wanted people to think I was great. I had a reputation for being kind of wild. But I look back at it, and I was just immature.”
Shawn Simpson
Moreover, he became devastated when he learned his former lover, who was pregnant, killed herself.
“I remember sitting down and my head was spinning. Even to this day, it’s a haunting and hurtful moment.”
“I didn’t have the ability to play hockey. I didn’t have the confidence, I didn’t have the concentration. I had lost my spark. Growing up and bouncing around, I didn’t want to move anymore. I knew was I needed to get some stability in my life.”
Shawn Simpson
Late Shawn Simpson’s Friends Tried Their Best To Bring Him Out Of His Dark Mental Turmoil!
His marriage was not the only thing he wrecked and lost; his career also suffered a temporary setback.
After Dinamo Minsk fired Shawn Simpson in early 2011, he became homeless, spending three months living in his van.
“I got my car (a Volkswagen) out of storage. For three months, I lived in that car. I’d drive around, maybe go for a run. I’d go to the local hotel, maybe shower, maybe use their pool. I look back and have no idea how I survived. I had a little money, not much, enough to buy some food.”
“It was at such a low point in my life. I was desperate. I had no idea what I was going to do. I was embarrassed. My whole life I’d known hockey, but I didn’t want to reach out to anybody.”
Shawn Simpson
However, he contacted his father in Easter 2011. Then, he flew back to Ottawa and moved in with his dad and stepmother.
He was always grateful for his father and had a lot of respect for him. After moving back to Ottawa, he gradually rebuilt his life.
Two years later, he was much happier. He found love, embraced parenting, and prioritized himself.
“Because of being adopted, I had never felt unconditional love. I don’t mean that disrespectfully to my adopted parents. I love being a dad. I love my kids. That just adds to the guilt factor. What’s more incredible in the whole process is that love is being returned by them. Initially it wasn’t. I remember when (the split from his wife) happened, they were young, but they were upset.”
“I’ve gotten physically and mentally more healthy. I always have a glass half full. I’ve had some low points, but my nature is to be happy. I’m in a good place. I can mentally pretend like everything’s been solved, but that’s not the case. It’s a work in progress. But to be in my own place, to have a routine, to have a job I absolutely love, to be back in Ottawa. I don’t want to make it sound like a Utopia, I’m not perfect, but this is great.”
“The radio show, I’ve never felt so natural about doing something. It’s eliminated travel. It’s stability. It’s a routine. It’s been a Godsend. When I walk into the station to do a show, that in itself is therapy for me. I’ll be down on Rideau St and see some of the homeless people. You have an appreciation for how quickly things can turn on a dime.”
“It’s a story of trial and error, of trying it on your own, figuring it out. I’m 44 years old. I’ve been on an incredible journey. I regroup and it’s on to the next phase.”
Shawn Simpson
His radio work provided stability and purpose, allowing him to go ahead. Furthermore, he created a beautiful life alongside his girlfriend, Mira Yasiri, whom he met after his divorce.
Simpson and Yasiri began dating after their serendipitous meeting at a Redblacks game.
Yasiri is the sole female CIBC Business Development Manager, one of only three such managers.

Moreover, Mira had established a thriving company by 24. Her LinkedIn profile demonstrates her further professional endeavors and accomplishments.
Besides being a businesswoman with over 15 years of experience in the financial industry, she is also a devoted mother of Zach and Matthew.
While everything looked shiny and beautiful, Shawn was battling with inner turmoil and mental health issues.
Sadly, on January 29, 2025, Shawn passed away at just 56. The Ottawa Senators confirmed the news of his demise on X the following day.
While the exact reason behind his death remains ambiguous, many credible sources link his mental health problems with this inconsolable tragedy.
Brent Wallace, Simpson’s close friend, told the heartbreaking story of how Wallace and their other friends, Ian Mendes and Rich, tried to support Simpson when he called out for help.
Even though they tried to assist Simpson and have him enrolled in a treatment center, the scenario ended tragically.
August 3rd. 9:34 pm, Shawn texts me. “Hey, I’m in some real trouble.” After a few texts I find out where he is. I quickly call Ian Mendes. Without hesitation Ian and our friend Rich, who works at the Royal Ottawa agree to help find Simmer. When we finally track him down, he’s… pic.twitter.com/HkMEIitYtt
— Brent Wallace (@localpodcaster) January 30, 2025
Colleagues, fans, and the larger hockey community expressed shock and grief at his demise.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Shawn Simpson appeared in 35 games over three seasons for the Baltimore Skipjacks of the American Hockey League.
- While Simpson never played an NHL game, he worked as the Washington Capitals‘ backup goalie in the 1988 and 1990 playoffs.
- Following his playing career, Simpson served in the front office of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Capitals.