A woman whose body lay undiscovered in her Woking, Surrey flat for three years had written desperate notes detailing her struggle with starvation, an inquest revealed. Laura Winham’s brother found her “mummified and almost skeletal” remains on 24 May 2021 after her family requested police intervention due to safety concerns.
Ms Winham, aged 41 at the time of discovery, had a cause of death that remains “unascertained,” according to a pathologist at Surrey Coroner’s Court. Her calendar showed crossed-off dates leading up to 1 November 2017, indicating a possible timeline.
Coroner Dr Karen Henderson read from Ms Winham’s diary, where she noted dwindling food and money supplies. An entry from 28 September 2017 mentioned her phone failing on 7 September and a Tesco delivery before it died. She wrote about sleeping excessively and not stocking food for months due to uncertainty.
An inquest is being held into the death of Laura Winham after her brother discovered her remains https://t.co/ybuYKhlCKV
— MyLondon (@myldn) October 1, 2024
Other diary entries indicated she survived on potatoes and cheese, with one October 2017 note stating: “It has been a whole month since my last food shop. I cannot believe I have survived this long.”
Ms Winham’s calendar entries, read in court with three family members present, stopped abruptly on 1 November 2017. An entry from 15 September 2017 expressed regret over not buying rice and mentioned dreaming of food, followed by meal recipes from a cookbook.
Her sister Nicola testified that Ms Winham feared leaving her flat, scheduling online shopping and bin days on her calendar. Police photos of her flat, shown in court, revealed minimal food supplies and bags of loose change.
The family struggled to maintain contact with Ms Winham due to her mental health issues, which led her to believe they posed a threat. Nicola stated that their last in-person contact was in 2009, with social media contact ceasing in 2014 after a message from Ms Winham suggesting minimal communication.
The family believed respecting her wishes for no contact was the best approach. Nicola recounted how her brother and mother, concerned for Ms Winham’s wellbeing, peered through her letterbox after no response at her door. Her brother saw what appeared to be a decomposed body.
Police forced entry and discovered her mummified remains. Nicola described the lasting shock experienced by her family.
The inquest will continue until 10 October.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Independent reports on the inquest into Laura Winham’s death, highlighting family concerns, vulnerability, and missed opportunities by social services leading to her body remaining undiscovered for over three years.(read more)
- The Guardian reports on a woman who died in a flat for three years, documenting her hunger struggles and isolation in a diary, highlighting mental health and social services failures.(read more)
- LBC News reports on the tragic case of a woman who lay dead in her flat for three years, with diary entries revealing her desperate struggle to survive while fearing family contact exacerbated her mental health difficulties.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was Laura Winham?
Laura Winham was a 41-year-old woman found dead in her flat in Woking, Surrey.
How long was Laura Winham dead before she was found?
Laura Winham was dead for about three years before being discovered.
What did the inquest reveal about Laura Winham’s last days?
The inquest revealed Laura’s diary entries about food scarcity and her struggle to survive.
Why did Laura Winham’s family lose contact with her?
Laura’s mental health struggles led her to believe her family would harm her, causing them to respect her wishes for no contact.
What did the police find in Laura Winham’s flat?
Police found a mummified body, minimal food items, and bags of loose change in her flat.
