An elderly woman was found wheeling her daughter’s dead body through a Walthamstow shopping centre, more than a year after her death, a court has heard.
The gruesome discovery was made on November 7, 2023, when police intercepted Joan Kathleen Turnell, then 77, as she pushed her daughter Tracey’s remains in a wheelchair near Peacocks in 17&Central shopping centre.
She had reportedly wrapped the decomposed body in a red coat in an attempt to convince housing officers her daughter was still alive.
A Shocking Discovery
The inquest at East London Coroner’s Court on January 28 revealed that Tracey, who had been wheelchair-bound due to a curved spine and other disabilities, had been dead for at least a year in their Leyton flat before her mother moved her body.
Housing officers became suspicious after months of complaints from neighbours about “horrendous smells” and a fly infestation at their home in Whitehouse Mews.
When officers knocked on their door, Joan refused to let them in.
Aware they were watching her, she wrapped up the body, placed it in a wheelchair, and left the flat, heading towards the town centre.
Housing officers noticed a foul smell and alerted the police, who stopped Joan outside Peacocks.
When officers lifted the hood of the red coat, they found a “heavily decomposed body.”
‘Why Can’t They Just Leave Us Alone?’
Joan was immediately sectioned under the Mental Health Act after the discovery.
“Why can’t they just leave us alone? We have been fine and I have been looking after her.” – Joan Turnell
Back at their Leyton flat, police found horrific living conditions:
- “Extremely hazardous environment”
- Faeces and unknown bodily fluids on the walls and floors
- Rodent and insect infestation
Joan was later diagnosed with prolonged grief disorder and found to be suffering from a brain tumour.
Despite the shocking circumstances, she was never prosecuted for preventing the lawful burial of her daughter’s body.
A Life Lived in Isolation
Tracey, born in October 1971, attended Highams Park School but had no friends or romantic partners.
Her existence was described as “parasitic upon that of her mother”, with both women living off the grid:
- No government documents
- No GP records
- No internet access
- No phone or photographs
DNA testing was required to confirm her identity.
‘I Couldn’t Bear to Part with Her’
In a statement to the coroner, Joan explained why she had kept Tracey’s body:
“I did not cause my daughter’s death. I do not know what caused my daughter’s death.
I did not call for an ambulance because I knew they couldn’t help. I kept Tracey with me because I couldn’t bear to part with her. I loved her too much.”
She recalled the moment her daughter passed away:
“Me and Tracey were watching a film in the afternoon. After the film finished, I tried speaking to her and there wasn’t any reply. I got up from my chair and approached Tracey. Her eyes were fixed and dilated.”
Joan estimated that Tracey died around September 2022.
No Cause of Death Determined
By the time Tracey’s body was discovered, it was too decomposed for a pathologist to determine the cause of death.
Senior coroner Graeme Irvine said:
“I haven’t the first clue how Miss Turnell died and therefore will have to leave that as an unascertained conclusion.”
An open verdict was recorded.
Missed Opportunities by Authorities
Despite Joan’s mental health struggles, Waltham Forest Council was criticised for failing to intervene earlier.
Coroner Graeme Irvine highlighted repeated failures by authorities, suggesting they had missed multiple chances to prevent such a tragic situation.
“The very tragic and concerning circumstances under which Miss Turnell’s death was discovered have caused me grave concerns.”
What Happens Next?
Authorities have pledged to review policies on vulnerable individuals and housing inspections to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
If you suspect someone is living in extreme isolation or struggling with their mental health, authorities urge you to report concerns to local services.
