The body of a schizophrenic woman was discovered in a 'mummified almost skeletal state' in her home after lying dead for almost four years. Laura Winham had chillingly written 'I need help' on her calendar shortly before she passed away but nobody from social services or her supposed support network had checked up on her for years.
The 38-year-old's gas and electric bills were continuing to be paid through housing benefits after she died and the annual gas safety check had been registered, the Mirror reports. Her family requested police break into Laura's flat in Woking, Surrey, in May 2021 after her brother Roy had peeped through her letterbox and saw what he believed to be a foot.
According to the victim's sister, Nicky Laura had asked the family to leave her to professionals as she told them she could hear voices in her head that told her to harm them.
She said: "We always hoped she would get better with professional help and that one day our contact would resume. We never believed, for one second, we would end up finding her dead on her floor having laid there for so long without anyone knowing."
Laura is believed to have died in November 2017 but her official cause of death was not established after authorities identified her through dental records.
The 38-year-old had a string of medical issues including Goldenhar Syndrome which is a rare congenital condition characterised by the abnormal development of the eye, ear and spine. She had also been struggling with mental health issues since her early teenage years.
Despite being informed her phone was not operating, social workers tried to contact Laura after her Disability Living Allowance was cut off in 2016 when she failed to respond to Department of Work and Pensions letters. She was later seen by police a year later who reported her case of 'self neglect' to social services.
When authorities could not make contact they decided to close her case without ever speaking to the vulnerable woman. It is believed Laura died only weeks after she wrote 'I need help' on her calendar and an inquest into her death is due to take place at a later date.
Her grieving sister said: "Laura has been so badly let down. It's just heart-breaking to think of how she lived in her last few years, unable to ask for help, without anyone there for her, it's just tragic.
"There were so many warning signs, from the social care and mental health teams to her landlords, yet everyone seems to have turned a blind eye."
Surrey County Council said: "This is a truly tragic case and our sympathies and deepest condolences are with Laura's family and friends.
"It's important that every aspect of this complex case is reviewed and we're committed to participating fully in the inquest process. This will include providing any information that is needed to support the Coroner's enquiries."
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