Laura Winham, 38, was found in a ‘mummified and skeletal state’ by her brother at her flat in Woking, Surrey – after loved-ones raised concerns about her safety
The family of a woman who died three-and-a-half years before her body was found in her flat raised concerns for her safety almost two months before the horror discovery, an inquest has heard.
Laura Winham’s remains were found in a “mummified and skeletal state” by her brother at her home in Woking, Surrey, in May 2021. Loved-ones had asked police to break into her flat following concerns about her safety two months prior, but Ms Winham, who was aged 41 when discovered, had died back in November 2017.
Her family said social and mental health services had neglected her, previously saying she was “abandoned and left to die.” Her sister Nicky also said the family were unable to keep in touch with Ms Winham after her schizophrenia had her convinced they would harm her.
An inquest into her death, which opened at Surrey Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, heard that Ms Winham’s family had contacted Woking Borough Council (WBC) two months prior to her body being found. A subsequent door knock at the flat went unanswered.
New Vision Homes, which was the landlord contractor for WBC from 2015 to April 2022, said in a statement: “Ms Winham’s sister (reached out) on March 31, 2021, to ask if New Vision Homes had been in contact with her. Her family said a lot of post had gathered and they were concerned about her welfare. Woking Borough Council completed a door knock which received no answer. It was at the end of May that New Vision Homes were told she had been found dead.”
The statement added that it was “clear she was vulnerable” and that “she should have been flagged as vulnerable as this would have alerted New Vision Homes and WBC to her vulnerability”. Multiple attempts to contact Ms Winham prior to her body being found were made by authorities, the inquest heard.
In November 2018, gas company TSG contacted Ms Winham about an annual gas check, but no response was received. Further repeated attempts to contact her by phone and post were made before her gas was capped in January 2019. The court heard how the company’s policy had since changed after the borough council brought housing functions back in-house in April 2022.
It said: “Since bringing housing function back in-house strict measures have been put in place. Home visits, calls and contacting next of kin to assist the situation. New process ensures injunctions can be sought to gain access to homes.”
WBC knocked on Ms Winham’s door in March 2021 to find out if she had been affected by gatherings by large groups of people in communal areas outside her flat. She did not answer the door, and there were “no further reports on this issue”.
She was also served an eviction notice in April 2014 after falling into rent arrears of £1,579, the court heard. One of WBC’s housing support officers intervened and raised concerns about her vulnerability. Ms Winham was encouraged to claim housing benefits, seek employment, engage in the community and see her GP.
Her rent arrears were subsequently paid by a third party and she was not evicted. The inquest continues.
