A heartbreaking inquest in Nottingham reveals how a missed 999 ambulance call may have led to the deaths of a mother and her disabled daughter. Learn the full timeline and failings that shocked the UK.
Mother and Daughter Found Dead in Nottingham After Missed 999 Call Sparks National Outrage
A deeply tragic case in Nottingham has left the UK shocked. Alphonsine Djiako Leuga, 47, and her 18-year-old daughter, Loraine Choulla, who had Down’s syndrome and learning disabilities, were found dead in their Radford home on 21 May 2024. Authorities believe they may have been undiscovered for weeks or even months.
An inquest has now revealed that Alphonsine called 999 on 2 February pleading for an ambulance, saying she was cold and couldn’t move. She also asked for help for her daughter. Despite giving her address, no ambulance was sent. The call was wrongly marked as “abandoned” by the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS).
A Call for Help That Never Came
According to evidence at Nottingham Coroner’s Court:
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Alphonsine had been in City Hospital just days before with a severe lung infection and low iron levels.
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Doctors advised her to stay, but she was discharged on 28 January to care for her daughter.
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She was supposed to return the next day but never did.
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On 2 February, she made the desperate 999 call. Her last words:
“Would you send an ambulance? Please come, please.”
Ambulance Service Admits ‘Missed Opportunity’
EMAS representative Susan Jevons admitted in court:
“This should never have happened. We had her address, phone number, and symptoms. We missed the chance to respond.”
An internal review confirmed multiple failures.
The Daughter’s Final Days
Post-mortem reports revealed that Loraine had lost nearly half her body weight over the past year — from 108kg to 59kg. At the time of her death, her stomach and bladder were empty, suggesting she may have been without food or water for some time if her mother had died first.
What the Inquest Will Decide
The five-day hearing will examine:
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Whether Alphonsine died before Loraine.
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If more could have been done by emergency services or social care to save either of them.
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How communication failures between agencies contributed to the tragedy.
💔 This case is a stark reminder of the importance of quick emergency responses — especially for vulnerable people who rely entirely on others for survival.