Laura Winham Death Raises Concerns About Social Services

Laura Winham, a woman with severe mental health issues, was found dead in her Woking, Surrey flat in May 2021, having been deceased for nearly four years. Her body was discovered in a 'mummified and almost skeletal' state by her brother after her family prompted police to break into her flat due to concerns about her wellbeing. An inquest revealed her cause of death was 'unascertained,' with her last recorded activity on a calendar dated November 1, 2017. Ms. Winham, who had stopped receiving disability benefits, was reportedly left to 'fend for herself' by social services, despite a police referral in 2017 highlighting her vulnerability. The coroner criticized multiple agencies, including Woking Borough Council and Surrey County Council's social care team, for 'lost opportunities' to intervene, though it was unclear if these directly contributed to her death. The family expressed their dismay over the lack of support and called for systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies.