This is a media release by Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, reshared by INQUEST
Before HM Assistant Coroner John Taylor
South London Coroner’s Court
Opening 6 October 2025
Scheduled for 8 days
On 21 September 2021 Maria Morris was found unresponsive in her room at the Bethlem Royal Hospital, where she had been an inpatient, detained under the Mental Health Act. She died the next day. Maria was 44 years old when she died.
Maria’s family describe her as happy, fun loving, and caring. She was family orientated, and she was loved deeply by those close to her. She loved singing, and was a spiritual person. Once you met her you never forgot her, for her kindness, her empathy, and her mischievous laugh.
Maria had been admitted to the Gresham 1 ward at Bethlem Royal Hospital just three days before the incident leading to her death. She had a long-standing diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and although there were long periods where Maria was well and lived life to the full, in the weeks leading up to her admission she experienced relapse and became unwell.
Although initially placed on a higher level of observations, it appears that the frequency of Maria’s observations was subsequently lowered. Maria’s family hope that the Coroner will investigate whether the risk of harm posed to Maria was adequately understood by clinicians, and whether warning signs were missed.
The inquest will hear evidence relating to the care provided to Maria at Gresham 1 ward, mental health observations, and the circumstances of her death.
The Interested Persons are South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, who operate Bethlem Royal Hospital, and the London Ambulance Service.
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information please contact Amy Ooi at Bhatt Murphy on 020 7729 1115 or [email protected].
The family is represented by Ms Amy Ooi of Bhatt Murphy and Mr Keio Yoshida of Doughty Street Chambers.
Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting issues relating to suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.
Maria Morris
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This is a media release by Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, reshared by INQUEST
Before HM Assistant Coroner John Taylor
South London Coroner’s Court
Opening 6 October 2025
Scheduled for 8 days
On 21 September 2021 Maria Morris was found unresponsive in her room at the Bethlem Royal Hospital, where she had been an inpatient, detained under the Mental Health Act. She died the next day. Maria was 44 years old when she died.
Maria’s family describe her as happy, fun loving, and caring. She was family orientated, and she was loved deeply by those close to her. She loved singing, and was a spiritual person. Once you met her you never forgot her, for her kindness, her empathy, and her mischievous laugh.
Maria had been admitted to the Gresham 1 ward at Bethlem Royal Hospital just three days before the incident leading to her death. She had a long-standing diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and although there were long periods where Maria was well and lived life to the full, in the weeks leading up to her admission she experienced relapse and became unwell.
Although initially placed on a higher level of observations, it appears that the frequency of Maria’s observations was subsequently lowered. Maria’s family hope that the Coroner will investigate whether the risk of harm posed to Maria was adequately understood by clinicians, and whether warning signs were missed.
The inquest will hear evidence relating to the care provided to Maria at Gresham 1 ward, mental health observations, and the circumstances of her death.
The Interested Persons are South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, who operate Bethlem Royal Hospital, and the London Ambulance Service.
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information please contact Amy Ooi at Bhatt Murphy on 020 7729 1115 or [email protected].
The family is represented by Ms Amy Ooi of Bhatt Murphy and Mr Keio Yoshida of Doughty Street Chambers.
Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting issues relating to suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.
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