Laura Winham, a resident of Woking in the UK, was tragically found dead in her apartment in May 2021.
Officials believe she may have been deceased for over three years before her “mummified” body was discovered.
The 38-year-old, who was deaf and suffered from schizophrenia, documented what are thought to be her final days in her diary.
The inquest aims to determine how Winham ended up so isolated from society.
During the inquest earlier this week, a pathologist explained to the court that, because of how long her body had remained undiscovered, it would not be possible to accurately determine the time of her death.
However, officials did find a calendar in her apartment with dates crossed off until November 1, 2017.
But the pressing question remains—why hadn’t she been in contact with her own family?
And why do her relatives believe that social and mental health services failed her?
It was her brother who made the grim discovery, finding her in a “mummified” state.
On October 3, Coroner Karen Henderson read heartbreaking excerpts from Winham’s diary, which shed light on the harsh reality of her final days. She had run out of money, food, and, ultimately, hope.
Just thirteen days later, on September 28, 2017, another entry read: “My mobile gave up on 7 September. I got a Tesco run in before it died. I have slept weeks away … I haven’t stocked any food for months because I don’t know what’s happening.”
One of the most chilling entries, dated sometime in October, read: “It has been a whole month since my last food shop. I cannot believe I have survived this long.”
During the inquest, an official from Surrey County Council explained that the authority has since revised its policies. Now, if letters go unanswered, a council employee will be sent to follow up.
A representative from Woking Borough Council also spoke, saying that Winham’s vulnerabilities should have been flagged within the housing system.
The inquest into Laura Winham’s death is ongoing.
