A woman believed to have died in November 2017 at her council home in Woking, Surrey, was only discovered nearly four years later. Laura Winham, 38, lived in council housing and was found in a mummified state years after her death. The cause of death has not been determined and she could only be identified by authorities through dental records.
Laura suffered from schizophrenia and was denied social services and mental health professionals.
She was also born with Goldenhar Syndrome which curves the spine and had major heart surgery at age 18, later being transected twice.
MailOnline reported that she hadn’t been checked in nearly four years, and due to family disputes over her health issues, they had no regular contact.
It was decided that professionals would be put in charge of her care after family contact caused Laura “huge tension,” her sister Nicky said.
She added: “She believed all those voices in her head that turned her against us, her own family.”
When the police found Laura’s body in her flat in May 2021, they found her calendar with a note that read “I need help” written just before her death.
Laura’s mother and brother Roy called officers and asked them to break into her flat in Surrey after Roy thought he saw a foot when he peered through the letterbox.
Her sister said: “We always hoped she would get better with professional help and that our contact would resume one day.
“We never believed for a second that we would eventually find her dead on her floor after lying there for so long without anyone knowing.”
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Nicky said social services “has let Laura down” and added that “everyone is turning a blind eye2
She said: “Laura has been let down so badly. It’s just heartbreaking to think of how she’s been living for the past few years, unable to ask for help, with no one there for her, it’s just tragic.
“There were so many warning signs, from the social and mental health teams to her landlords, but everyone seems to be turning a blind eye.”
In a response, Surrey County Council said: “This is truly a tragic matter, and our sympathy and deepest condolences are with Laura’s family and friends.
“It is important that every aspect of this complex case is considered, and we are committed to participating fully in the judicial investigation.
“This includes providing all information necessary to support the coroner’s investigations.”