Laura Winham: Inquest could consider agencies' role in death

Laura Winham, of Woking, had schizophrenia

An inquest into the death of a woman whose body lay in a flat for more than three years could consider whether the state failed to protect her.

Laura Winham, 38, who had schizophrenia, is thought to have died in November 2017.

A review has been conducted to establish what agencies could have done differently.

A coroner said on Wednesday she could ask for further submissions on holding an enhanced inquest.

Ms Winham, who had been referred to social care twice in the years leading up to her death, was found at her social housing flat in Woking, Surrey in May 2021.

Her family has previously said they were unable to maintain contact with her after years of schizophrenia caused her to believe they would harm her.

At a pre-inquest review on Wednesday, Dr Karen Henderson, assistant coroner for Surrey, said the court was waiting to receive a safeguarding adults review (SAR) report.

SARs determine what relevant agencies and individuals could have done differently to prevent a death from taking place.

Laura's body was discovered by her brother in the first floor flat of this building

Dr Henderson said the report would probably lead to the need for a further pre-inquest hearing, in which she was "almost certainly going to ask for further submissions with regards to Article Two".

Article Two inquests are "enhanced" inquests held in cases where the state or "its agents" have failed to protect the deceased person against a human threat or other risk, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The type of inquest which will be held into Ms Winham's death is yet to be determined. A full inquest is currently set for 25 and 26 April at Woking Coroner's Court.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Surrey County Council and Woking Borough Council have been identified as interested persons in the inquest.

Dr Henderson said a witness from the DWP could be asked to give evidence to explain how "someone like Laura who has been in receipt of benefits is able to navigate the system".

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