Woman who lay dead in apartment for three years wrote in diary that she was ‘starving’ | Company

A vulnerable woman who lay unnoticed dead in a council flat for more than three years wrote in her diary that she was starving and running out of food, an inquest heard.

The “mummified and almost skeletal” remains of 38-year-old Laura Winham, who was deaf and suffered from schizophrenia, were found at her home in Woking in May 2021. Her family, who had asked them not to contact her, said they had been “abandoned and left to die” by social and mental health services.

A pathologist told the inquest at Surrey Coroner’s Court this week that it was impossible to narrow down the time of death. But a calendar in Winham’s home had dates through November 1, 2017 crossed out, the court heard.

Winham’s food and money were running low, according to excerpts from her diary read out by coroner Karen Henderson on Thursday.

An entry from September 28, 2017 stated: “My cell phone died on September 7th. I got a Tesco enema before it gave up the ghost. I’ve been sleeping for weeks…I haven’t stocked up on groceries in months because I don’t know what’s going on.”

Other excerpts indicate that she had been living on potatoes and cheese and “had about five pounds left.” Another from October 2017 said: “It’s been a whole month since my last grocery shop. I can’t believe I survived this long.”

An excerpt dated September 15, 2017 states: “I wish I had bought rice. Dream of [food]. Anyway, I’m starving.”

The inquest previously heard how Winham’s family had been unable to maintain contact with her after years of mental health issues led them to believe they would harm her.

Woking District Council and Surrey District Council have changed their policies since Winham’s death, the inquest also found.

Luke Addams, director of practice, safety and security at Surrey City Council, told the inquiry that someone from the council should have attempted to visit Winham rather than communicate with her by letter. A Woking City Council official admitted Winham’s vulnerabilities should have been reported to the company then managing the council’s housing stock.

On Wednesday, the inquiry also heard that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had sent Winham letters in February 2016 inviting her to apply for the new Personal Independence Payment, which is the Disability Living Allowance , DLA).

They explained that she might need to see a doctor. Winham responded to Woking Council and expressed his concerns. She wrote: “I lived solely on my savings and the DLA benefit,” the court heard. The court heard these concerns were not passed on to the DWP.

The investigation continues.