Family of woman found ‘mummified’ say privacy laws kept them in the dark

Laura Winham is thought to have died in November 2017 but was not discovered until May 2021. Photograph: Hudgell Solicitors/PA

The family of a severely mentally ill woman who lay dead and undiscovered in her flat for more than three years said they were unable to have any contact with her because of privacy laws.

Laura Winham, 38, had schizophrenia, struggled to look after herself and had become estranged from her family, who she thought were trying to harm her.