An elderly woman suffering from severe mental health issues was discovered pushing her daughter’s decomposed body in a wheelchair around Walthamstow, East London, a court has heard.

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The Tragic Case of Joan and Tracey Turnell: A Story of Grief, Neglect, and Oversight

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community, Joan Kathleen Turnell, then 77, was found to have been living with the decomposed remains of her daughter, Tracey Turnell, for approximately 14 months. Police discovered the situation on 7 November 2023, after persistent complaints from neighbours about a putrid odour and an infestation of flies emanating from their flat near Whipps Cross Hospital.

The extent of decomposition was so advanced that all of Tracey’s organs, including her brain, had turned to powder, rendering it impossible for pathologists to determine her cause of death.

A Community’s Concerns Ignored

Residents had raised concerns for months about the horrendous conditions in the Turnells’ home. Housing association officers made multiple attempts to enter the property, but Joan Turnell consistently refused access. When authorities finally gained entry, they deemed the conditions “extremely hazardous.”

The Inquest and Mental Health Considerations

During an inquest at East London Coroner’s Court, it was revealed that Joan Turnell had been diagnosed with prolonged grief disorder and was also battling a brain tumour. Coroner Graeme Irvine described her mental health problems as “severe” and ruled that requiring her to give evidence would have been “inhumane.”

The coroner also criticised Waltham Forest Council for failing to act on previous warnings regarding the unsafe living conditions and the wellbeing of the Turnells. In his statement, he remarked, “It is a truly, truly appalling case. A horrific case.”

No Legal Action Taken

Despite the distressing nature of the discovery, Ms. Turnell was never prosecuted for preventing the lawful burial of her daughter. In a written statement, she explained that she had kept Tracey’s body because she “couldn’t bear to part with her.”

Who Was Tracey Turnell?

Born in 1971, Tracey Turnell attended Highams Park School and suffered from multiple physical disabilities, including a curved spine, a damaged knee, and deformed arms. According to her mother, she led an “internalised, withdrawn” life, never forming close friendships or romantic relationships.

Given the advanced state of decomposition, the official cause of her death remains unascertained.