An inquest is being held into the death of Laura Winham after her brother discovered her remains. Laura Winham, a vulnerable woman, lay dead in her flat for more than three years despite concerns raised by her family about her welfare almost two months before she was found. Her remains were discovered by her brother in her flat in Woking, Surrey, in May 2021 when her loved ones asked police to break into her home following safety worries.
Ms. Winham, who was 41 years old when discovered, had been left abandoned according to her family, who accused social and mental health services of neglect. They claimed she died in November 2017, three-and-a-half years before her body was found. The inquest at Surrey Coroner’s Court heard that Ms. Winham’s family had informed Woking Borough Council (WBC) about their concerns two months prior to her body being discovered, but a door knock at her home went unanswered.
A former employee at New Vision Homes, the landlord contractor for WBC until April 2022, stated that Ms. Winham’s family had contacted them in March 2021, expressing worries about her welfare due to a buildup of post at her home. WBC conducted a door knock that received no response and it was only at the end of May that New Vision Homes were informed she had been found dead. The inquest revealed that multiple attempts had been made by authorities to reach Ms. Winham before her body was found.
Gas company TSG had tried to contact her in November 2018 for an annual gas check, but they received no response. They attempted to reach her via phone and mail multiple times before her gas was disconnected in January 2019. Procedures have since been amended since WBC brought housing functions back in-house in April 2022, instituting measures such as home visits, calls, and contacting next of kin for assistance.
The court was informed that in March 2021, WBC visited her home to inquire about her well-being concerning gatherings outside her flat but received no response at her door. Ms. Winham’s sister Nicky shared that their family had lost contact with her due to her schizophrenia, which made her believe they would harm her. Ms. Winham had faced an eviction notice in April 2014 but was assisted by a housing support officer at WBC who intervened and ensured her rent arrears were paid, averting the eviction.
The inquest into Laura Winham’s death continues as the circumstances surrounding her demise and the apparent failings in support services are examined.