Mark Whitehead 27 January 2023

Woman with schizophrenia lay dead in council flat for four years

Woman with schizophrenia lay dead in council flat for four years  image
Image: DrimaFilm/Shutterstock.com.

Surrey County Council has committed to taking a full part in the inquest into a woman with schizophrenia who was found dead in her flat after four years.

A spokesperson said it was important to ‘review every aspect of the complex case’.

Speaking before a pre-inquest hearing set for Monday, the family of Laura Winham alleged she was ‘abandoned and left to die’ by NHS and social services.

The hearing will establish the scope of the inquest, which the family says should examine whether various care and welfare services acted appropriately and how she became ‘lost in the system’.

The woman, who was 38, was found in a ‘mummified, almost skeletal state’ at her social housing flat in Woking, Surrey by police and relatives in May 2021.

A Surrey County Council spokesperson said: ‘It's important that every aspect of this complex case is reviewed and we're committed to participating fully in the inquest process.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Minerals Monitoring and Compliance Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 to £39,152 per annum
We are looking for an experienced individual who has the knowledge of service planning issues relating to development management and monitoring / comp Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Care Support

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
We have a permanent post available within the Pathways Service - which provides day services Monday to Friday to adults with complex needs. We have 1 Peterlee
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Classroom Teacher

Durham County Council
£37,101 - £45, 352
Classroom Teacher (across KS1 and LKS2) Required to start 1st September 2026   The children, staff and governors of Sedgefield Primary are looking to Sedgefield
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher- EYFS Lead

Durham County Council
£45, 352 - £51,048
The children, staff and governors of Sedgefield Primary are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and hard-working Reception Teacher to join our strong t Sedgefield
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598
At Howletch Lane we are commited to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child can thrive academically, socially and emotionall Peterlee
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner