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Mum's anti-chemotherapy views influenced Paloma Shemirani's death Mum's anti-chemotherapy views influenced Paloma Shemirani's death
(32 minutes later)
Paloma Shemirani, 23, died after refusing chemotherapy following a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphomaPaloma Shemirani, 23, died after refusing chemotherapy following a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
A high-profile conspiracy theorist influenced her daughter to reject chemotherapy in favour of alternative treatments, which ultimately led to her death, a coroner has ruled.A high-profile conspiracy theorist influenced her daughter to reject chemotherapy in favour of alternative treatments, which ultimately led to her death, a coroner has ruled.
Paloma Shemirani, from Uckfield in East Sussex, died in July last year - seven months after she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Paloma Shemirani, from Uckfield in East Sussex, died in July last year - seven months after she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Ms Shemirani, 23, had declined chemotherapy in favour of juices and coffee enemas advocated for by her mother, Kate Shemirani, a former nurse who was struck off for her anti-vaccination views.Ms Shemirani, 23, had declined chemotherapy in favour of juices and coffee enemas advocated for by her mother, Kate Shemirani, a former nurse who was struck off for her anti-vaccination views.
Coroner Catherine Wood said at Kent and Medway Coroners Court on Thursday: "The influence that was brought to bear on Paloma... did contribute more than minimally to her death."Coroner Catherine Wood said at Kent and Medway Coroners Court on Thursday: "The influence that was brought to bear on Paloma... did contribute more than minimally to her death."
After her diagnosis in December 2023, Ms Shemirani went to live with her mother and began having five coffee enemas a day, according to her brothers.After her diagnosis in December 2023, Ms Shemirani went to live with her mother and began having five coffee enemas a day, according to her brothers.
In July 2024, she collapsed at home and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where she died five days later.In July 2024, she collapsed at home and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where she died five days later.
An osteopath who saw Ms Shemirani on the morning she collapsed told the inquest he had "never seen" a lymphoid mass like hers in 43 years of practice.An osteopath who saw Ms Shemirani on the morning she collapsed told the inquest he had "never seen" a lymphoid mass like hers in 43 years of practice.
Ms Wood said Ms Shemirani died from the progression of a disease which was curable but not treated.Ms Wood said Ms Shemirani died from the progression of a disease which was curable but not treated.
Kate Shemirani blamed medical staff for her daughter's deathKate Shemirani blamed medical staff for her daughter's death
She added that treatment would have given Ms Shemirani an 80% chance of a complete cure.She added that treatment would have given Ms Shemirani an 80% chance of a complete cure.
The Cambridge graduate had initially consented to treatment, the coroner said, adding that "doubts about consent only surfaced after Mrs Shemirani became involved".The Cambridge graduate had initially consented to treatment, the coroner said, adding that "doubts about consent only surfaced after Mrs Shemirani became involved".
The coroner said Ms Shemirani was being influenced by her own beliefs, her mother's, her father's and by those of a family friend - all who advocated the alternative treatment she used.The coroner said Ms Shemirani was being influenced by her own beliefs, her mother's, her father's and by those of a family friend - all who advocated the alternative treatment she used.
"I found Mrs Shemirani's care of her daughter incomprehensible but not unlawful killing," Ms Wood said."I found Mrs Shemirani's care of her daughter incomprehensible but not unlawful killing," Ms Wood said.
Ms Shemirani's mother tried to blame medical staff for her daughter's death and has previously labelled chemotherapy as "mustard gas".Ms Shemirani's mother tried to blame medical staff for her daughter's death and has previously labelled chemotherapy as "mustard gas".
Staff at Maidstone Hospital, where Ms Shemirani was diagnosed, the Royal Sussex County Hospital and paramedics all acted appropriately, the inquest found.Staff at Maidstone Hospital, where Ms Shemirani was diagnosed, the Royal Sussex County Hospital and paramedics all acted appropriately, the inquest found.
Neither her mother or her father - non-medical doctor Faramarz Shemirani - attended the conclusion of the inquest.Neither her mother or her father - non-medical doctor Faramarz Shemirani - attended the conclusion of the inquest.
Her brothers Gabriel and Sebastian Shemirani did attend.
Gabriel (left) and Sebastian Shemirani speaking to the media outside the court after the conclusion of the inquest into their sister's deathGabriel (left) and Sebastian Shemirani speaking to the media outside the court after the conclusion of the inquest into their sister's death
The BBC's social media investigations correspondent, Marianna Spring, spoke with the brothers after the conclusion. Her brothers, Gabriel and Sebastian Shemirani, did attend and said the state had "failed" by not classing their sister's death as an unlawful killing, despite recognising a breach in their mother's duty of care.
"I found watching the coroner deliver her verdict really tough," she said. Gabriel told the inquest: "I blame my mother entirely for my sister's death", adding she had been "obstructing" his sister from receiving treatment.
"Gabriel and Sebastian were visibly frustrated and speaking afterwards told me that they felt that their mum had been allowed to get away with influencing and ultimately contributing to their sister's death because of her beliefs and behaviour." The coroner noted the "striking" family dysfunction, which she said had been "on display very publicly" during the inquest.
Mrs Shemirani has repeatedly denied this. "The dynamics within the immediate family were complicated and dysfunctional at the time of Paloma's death," she said.
Marianna Spring said both of Ms Shemirani's brothers "now fear others influenced or impacted by anti-medicine conspiracy theories will also not be properly protected and that other deaths as a consequence will not be prevented".
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.