This is a media release by Irwin Mitchell, reshared by INQUEST
The family of a woman from Jersey who died on 4 March 2022 at Brockfield House, a secure mental health inpatient unit in Essex, hope the inquest into her death will provide answers about what happened to her.
Marion Michel died aged 56 while detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 as an inpatient at Brockfield House in Wickford, which is managed by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).
The government announced last week that an inquiry into mental health related deaths in Essex between 2000 and 2020 will be put on a statutory footing under the Inquiries Act 2005. As Marion’s death took place in 2022, it does not come within the scope of the inquiry. Marion’s death will instead be investigated at the inquest by HM Area Coroner for Essex, sitting with a jury.
Marion was born and raised in Jersey, and her family describe her as “kind and generous with a lovely smile and a hearty and at-times mischievious laugh”, as well as being “loyal, maintaining strong links with friends and family”. Marion had travelled widely, but Jersey was always important to her.
Marion was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1998 and had a history of intense periods of mental illness when she would hurt herself and, on two occasions, her partner. Marion was transferred to Brockfield House in 2018, after having been convicted of assault that year.
On 4 March 2022, Marion was found unresponsive and injured by staff at Brockfield House. Sadly, she did not recover from her injuries. The inquest into Marion’s death will be heard by HM Area Coroner Sean Horstead, sitting with a jury, from 5 July 2023, at Essex Coroner’s Court, Seax House, Victoria Road South, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1LX. The conclusion is expected on 14 July 2023.
Oliver Carter of Irwin Mitchell, representing the family said: “Marion’s inquest will explore the care and treatment she received at Brockfield House, including the assessment and management of risk presented by Marion to herself and to others, her accommodation arrangements, and the context of Covid-19 lockdowns. We will support Marion’s family to ensure the inquest fully investigates these issues and considers whether changes should be made following her death."
Marion’s family are represented by Oliver Carter, a public law and human rights solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, and Caroline Allen, a barrister at 39 Essex Chambers. The family are supported by INQUEST caseworker Jodie Anderson.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For further information, pictures and interview requests please contact the Irwin Mitchell press office on 0114 274 4666.
Marion Michel: Inquest Opens Into Death Of Woman At Mental Health Unit In Essex
CONTENT WARNING: Please read with care as this page may involve information on death, suicide, mental illness, disability, state neglect, and police and prison violence that some people may find upsetting. If you need support, please visit our support page.
This is a media release by Irwin Mitchell, reshared by INQUEST
The family of a woman from Jersey who died on 4 March 2022 at Brockfield House, a secure mental health inpatient unit in Essex, hope the inquest into her death will provide answers about what happened to her.
Marion Michel died aged 56 while detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 as an inpatient at Brockfield House in Wickford, which is managed by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).
The government announced last week that an inquiry into mental health related deaths in Essex between 2000 and 2020 will be put on a statutory footing under the Inquiries Act 2005. As Marion’s death took place in 2022, it does not come within the scope of the inquiry. Marion’s death will instead be investigated at the inquest by HM Area Coroner for Essex, sitting with a jury.
Marion was born and raised in Jersey, and her family describe her as “kind and generous with a lovely smile and a hearty and at-times mischievious laugh”, as well as being “loyal, maintaining strong links with friends and family”. Marion had travelled widely, but Jersey was always important to her.
Marion was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1998 and had a history of intense periods of mental illness when she would hurt herself and, on two occasions, her partner. Marion was transferred to Brockfield House in 2018, after having been convicted of assault that year.
On 4 March 2022, Marion was found unresponsive and injured by staff at Brockfield House. Sadly, she did not recover from her injuries. The inquest into Marion’s death will be heard by HM Area Coroner Sean Horstead, sitting with a jury, from 5 July 2023, at Essex Coroner’s Court, Seax House, Victoria Road South, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1LX. The conclusion is expected on 14 July 2023.
Oliver Carter of Irwin Mitchell, representing the family said: “Marion’s inquest will explore the care and treatment she received at Brockfield House, including the assessment and management of risk presented by Marion to herself and to others, her accommodation arrangements, and the context of Covid-19 lockdowns. We will support Marion’s family to ensure the inquest fully investigates these issues and considers whether changes should be made following her death."
Marion’s family are represented by Oliver Carter, a public law and human rights solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, and Caroline Allen, a barrister at 39 Essex Chambers. The family are supported by INQUEST caseworker Jodie Anderson.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For further information, pictures and interview requests please contact the Irwin Mitchell press office on 0114 274 4666.
Make a Donation
Every year, INQUEST supports hundreds of families bereaved by deaths involving the state. We are independent of government and entirely reliant on grants and donations to continue our vital work.
Support us and bereaved families in the fight for truth, justice and accountability by becoming a regular donor today.
Donate now
Related items
We campaign to prioritise care over punishment and establish independent investigations into deaths
Subscribe to our newsletter
To receive the latest news from INQUEST straight into you inbox please subscribe. For examples of what you will receive, see our previous newsletters.