An inquest has revealed the heartbreaking story of a vulnerable woman, Laura Winham, who was found dead in her flat in Woking, Surrey, after laying there for over three years. Despite concerns raised by her family about her welfare, it took more than two months for authorities to discover her body. The inquest, held at Surrey Coroner’s Court, heard that Laura Winham’s family had contacted Woking Borough Council (WBC) in March 2021, expressing worries about her wellbeing, as they had not heard from her and noticed a build-up of post at her home.
Tragically, Laura Winham’s body was only found in May 2021 by her brother, leading to the revelation that she had passed away back in November 2017. The inquest heard that numerous attempts had been made to reach out to Ms. Winham before the discovery of her body, including a failed door knock by WBC two months prior. Reports highlighted that Ms. Winham’s vulnerability should have been flagged, as this could have prompted earlier intervention.
The inquest revealed that a gas company had attempted contact with Ms. Winham in 2018 for an annual gas check, to no avail. Subsequent attempts to reach her via phone and mail were also unsuccessful. The court learned that housing functions had been brought back in-house by the borough council in April 2022, leading to the implementation of stricter protocols to prevent similar cases in the future.
Prior to her passing, Laura Winham, who suffered from schizophrenia, had faced financial difficulties and concerns regarding her housing situation. The housing support officer at WBC had intervened in 2014 to prevent her eviction due to rent arrears, emphasizing the need for support and engagement with community services.
The inquest continues to unravel the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Laura Winham. The heart-wrenching ordeal sheds light on the importance of timely welfare checks and support systems for vulnerable individuals in society.