A VULNERABLE woman was found “mummified and skeletal” after lying dead in her flat for more than three years, an inquest heard.
Laura Winham, 38, was discovered by her brother when he visited the home in Woking, Surrey, to tell her their dad had passed away.
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He was about to leave but went back for “one last look” through the letter box when he noticed what resembled a foot underneath a blanket.
Police broke down the door to find Laura, who was 41 when she was found, in a “mummified” state, an inquest heard.
Her devastated family believe she was “abandoned and left to die” by social and mental health services.
Surrey Coroner’s Court was told Laura had schizophrenia and believed her loved ones were trying to harm her.
They believe she died in November 2017 – three-and-a-half years before her body was found.
Her sister had contacted New Visions Homes two months before the discovery as they were concerned for Laura’s welfare.
An official went to the social housing flat but there was no answer, the inquest was told.
A statement from a former employee at New Vision Homes, which was the landlord contractor for WBC from 2015 to April 2022, said: “Ms Winham’s sister reached out on 31 March 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”.
Laura’s gas had been turned off in January 2019 due to a contractor not being able to gain access to complete an annual check.
They had made several attempts to get in touch with Laura by phone and post regarding the scheduled December 2018 check-up with no response.
The court heard Laura been served an eviction notice in April 2014 after falling into rent arrears of £1,579.
A council housing officer intervened and helped Laura make a new housing benefit claim and encouraged her to see her GP.
Her rent arrears were subsequently paid by a third party and the eviction did not happen.
The inquest continues.
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