JAMES: CANCER-STRICKEN PENSIONER’S DEATH LED TO POISONING INVESTIGATION

A former head chef whose death triggered a police investigation over suspected poisoning died of natural causes, an inquest heard today (Tues).

Stella James, 71, had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was being cared for by her daughter Laetitia at her home in south London.

But after her death on June 7 last year, other family members contacted police with concerns she may have been poisoned or neglected, Westminster Coroner’s Court was told.

Officers investigated and a special postmortem was carried out, but only normal levels of painkillers and heart medication were found in her blood.

Mrs James, a former chef for the BBC and Daily Telegraph, had been discharged from St George’s Hospital, in Tooting, sw London, in April last year, the court heard.

The Nigerian-born mother-of-six was receving ‘end-of-life care’ in a converted ‘granny flat’ at her eldest daughter’s house in (30) Shaldon Drive, Morden, south London.

‘Mrs James died on June 7 and her death had been expected,’ said coroner’s office Rosalind Tolson.

‘She had been seen by her GP the day before and the death was registered by her daughter Laetitia on June 10.

‘Following concerns from family members the death was investigated by the police and a special postmortem was carried out.’

Laetitia James attended the inquest to give evidence. Coroner Dr William Dolman asked her: ‘There have been certain things said about treatment – that it may not have been given by you and accelerated the death in some way.

‘That would be an untrue suggestion, would it?’

‘Yes,’ she replied.

Pathologist Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl confirmed only normal traces of painkillers and heart medication had been found in Mrs James’ body at a postmortem.

Her GP, Dr Fiona Gibbs, also said that doctors and district nurses would have been responsible for giving medication, rather than other family members.

Det Con Anthony Stepney investigated the death for Wimbledon CID and said he was satisfied it was not suspicious.

‘On the whole, from what I saw at the house and having spoken to her daughter on several occasions, in my opinion it would appear she was well cared for,’ he told the court.

Coroner Dr William Dolman said: ‘Her daughter was looking after her and doing her best.

‘There may have been family conflicts, but we’ve heard that medication was supervised by the nursing and medical team rather than by family members.

‘There were no unexpected findings.’

Verdict: natural causes.

ends