The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Topic
inquest
28 stories, newest first · page 1 of 2.
Courts · LambethMet Police 'resisting' full inquest into Chris Kaba shooting, court told
The Metropolitan Police is reportedly opposing a full inquest into the death of Chris Kaba, who was shot by an officer in Streatham in September 2022. The Kaba family's legal team told Southwark Coroner's Court that the force's stance is 'disappointing and misguided'.
Lambeth3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 70 · Hype 40
Courts · SouthwarkInquest to probe death of 12-year-old Mia Shay St Hilaire after milkshake
A formal inquest will investigate the death of Mia Shay St Hilaire, 12, who died in August 2023 after consuming a milkshake suspected to contain nuts at Pop Inn Café in Bermondsey. Southwark Council's investigation found nuts in the drink, and the café operator has already been fined for food safety breaches.
Southwark2 min readTrust 60 · Craft 77 · Hype 20
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaTV chef Chris Wheeler died from drugs and asphyxiation, inquest finds
TV chef Chris Wheeler, known for appearances on BBC's Great British Menu and Saturday Kitchen, was found dead in Brompton Cemetery on February 27, 2026. An inquest heard his death was caused by asphyxiation and a mix of drugs, with an open verdict recorded.
Kensington and Chelsea3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · LondonChef Chris Wheeler found dead in Brompton Cemetery
Chef Chris Wheeler, 52, who appeared on Great British Menu, was found deceased in Brompton Cemetery on February 27, 2026. An inquest heard his death was due to asphyxiation and drug effects, with an open conclusion recorded.
London3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · Hammersmith and FulhamWormwood Scrubs prisoner died with 7 unprescribed drugs
William Clark, 57, died of multidrug toxicity at HMP Wormwood Scrubs on December 27, 2024, with seven unprescribed medications and three prescribed ones in his system. A report raised concerns about drug trading and medication management.
Hammersmith and Fulham4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 70 · Hype 45
Courts · CroydonBoy, 11, died on level crossing after watching phone video
An 11-year-old boy died at a Croydon level crossing after being distracted by a video on his phone, an inquest has heard. Jaiden Shehata was walking to school when he was struck by a train. The crossing had a history of near-misses.
Croydon3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · WandsworthMan arrested in 'Putney pusher' case found dead
Nicholas Brandram, 44, who was arrested in connection with the 2017 'Putney pusher' incident, was found dead at his Chiswick home on September 15, 2026. An inquest into his death has been suspended.
Wandsworth3 min readTrust 78 · Craft 77 · Hype 20
Courts · WandsworthMan died in Thames after taking magic mushrooms
A young chef who had taken a significant quantity of magic mushrooms jumped into the River Thames near Battersea Park, an inquest heard. Joe Emanuel Cuaspa Vargas was seen struggling in the water before his body was found days later. His family raised concerns about the police investigation.
Wandsworth3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
LatestUxbridge sisters drowned off Brighton beach, police confirm
Three sisters from Uxbridge, London, have been confirmed to have died by drowning off Brighton beach. Sussex Police concluded their investigation into the deaths, finding no evidence of criminality or third-party involvement. The inquest into the deaths will resume to determine the full facts.
3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 60 · Hype 40
LatestBrighton drowning: No criminality found in deaths of three sisters
An investigation by Sussex Police into the deaths of three sisters, Jane Adetoro, Christina Walters, and Rebecca Walters, has concluded without finding any evidence of criminality or third-party involvement. The sisters died by drowning after being dropped off by a taxi in Brighton.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 20
LatestCoroner rejects anonymity for witnesses in Sara Sharif inquest
Senior coroner Richard Travers has refused anonymity requests from three Surrey County Council employees due to give evidence at the Sara Sharif inquest. The full inquest is scheduled for October 2027, following the conviction of Sara's father and stepmother for her murder.
3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 67 · Hype 20
Courts · NewhamCare home resident died of heatstroke, inquest hears
An inquest has been opened into the death of Zola Bitshuangu, 48, who died from heatstroke after being found unresponsive in the garden of Forest Lodge care home in Forest Gate. His temperature was recorded at 42C.
Newham3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 67 · Hype 41
Courts · NewhamPatient unlawfully killed at Newham mental health centre
An inquest has found Hugo Flint-Cahan was unlawfully killed at Newham Mental Health Centre, with neglect by staff contributing to his death. The East London NHS Trust faces scrutiny over repeated failures and falsified records.
Newham5 min readTrust 60 · Craft 70 · Hype 45
Courts · NewhamNewham care home death probed by inquest
An inquest has been opened into the death of Zola Bitshuangu, 48, who died from heatstroke on May 26 after being found unresponsive in the garden of Forest Lodge nursing home in Forest Gate. The hearing will examine concerns about the quality of care provided.
Newham2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Courts · WestminsterLister Hospital anticoagulation failure contributed to Lady Joan Branson's death, inquest finds
An inquest has concluded that a failure by the Lister Hospital in Chelsea to provide preventative medication contributed to the death of Lady Joan Branson, 80. She died on November 24 after suffering a cardiac arrest following a pulmonary embolism.
Westminster2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 58 · Hype 45
Courts · Waltham ForestMan died of cocaine toxicity, inquest hears
An inquest heard that Tudor Sorin Iuga, 49, died from heart failure caused by cocaine toxicity. He was discovered by bailiffs at his Hove Avenue home in Walthamstow on July 3.
Waltham Forest2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 58 · Hype 41
Courts · NewhamMan dies from chest injuries; inquest adjourned pending police probe
An inquest into the death of Franklin Francis, 56, has been adjourned pending the outcome of a criminal investigation. Mr Francis died in hospital on November 27 after sustaining traumatic chest injuries, including a collapsed lung, following an incident on November 25.
Newham3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Courts · WestminsterInquest opens into deaths of four family members in Shoreham
An inquest has opened into the deaths of Hussam El-Khawas, 55, Zeina Alayan, 37, and their daughters Sara, 13, and Saja, 6, who died after entering the sea off Shoreham. Sussex Police confirmed no third-party involvement.
Westminster3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
Courts · BexleyYaszmin Simpson inquest begins into childbirth death
An inquest is set to begin into the death of Yaszmin Simpson, a 29-year-old first-time mother from Welling in Bexley, who died during childbirth in October 2022. Her family is seeking answers regarding the circumstances of her passing.
Bexley3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
Courts · BexleyWelling mother Yaszmin Simpson's death in childbirth to be examined at inquest
Yaszmin Simpson, 29, died at King's College Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest following an emergency caesarean section. Her newborn daughter survived. An inquest is set to begin next Tuesday at London Inner South Coroner's Court.
Bexley3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41