Tia Wilson: Inquest To Open Into The Self-inflicted Death Of 18 Year Old

Before HM Assistant Coroner David Manknell KC and a jury
London Inner South Coroner’s Court, 1 Tennis Street, London SE1 1YD

Opening date – 28 October 2024, expected to last 10 days

Tia Wilson, aged 18, died on 21 August 2021 whilst detained under the Mental Health Act at Maudsley Hospital. 

Tia was a young woman with a brilliant sense of humour who was cool, creative and intelligent. She loved music and would always put the needs of others before her own.

Tia was admitted to the Maudsley Hospital on 10 August 2021 following a deterioration in her mental well-being and two significant self-harming incidents. This was Tia’s first admission to a mental health hospital. She was initially placed on constant observations due to her risk and these continued for the first 7 days of her admission. By the time of her death 11 days later, Tia was on hourly observations.

On 21 August, Tia was found unresponsive in the ward bathroom and pronounced dead shortly after.  

The inquest which comes over 3 years after Tia’s death will explore the care and treatment that Tia received throughout her admission to hospital including:

• Tia’s diagnosis and treatment (including medication)
• The decision to reduce Tia’s level of observations
• The assessment and management of Tia’s risk
• The availability of items on the ward with which patients could harm themselves.
  
  

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

For further information, interview requests and to note your interest, please contact Leila Hagmann on [email protected]

The family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Charlotte Haworth Hird of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors and Alison Gerry of Doughty Street Chambers. The family are supported by INQUEST senior caseworker Selen Cavcav.

Other Interested Persons represented are South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM).

Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.

PREVIOUS INQUESTS INVOLVING SLAM: 

Since 2014 INQUEST has worked on at least 39 deaths involving SLAM. These include: 

• Kenan Canalp –   Neglect & serious failures by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust contributed to death of Kenan Canalp | Inquest
• Agnes McDonald - Inquest concludes into death of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust patient who died hours into leave | Inquest
• Christopher Brennan – 31 August 2014- Jury found neglect contributed to Chris’s death. Coroner Concludes Gross Failings Constituting Neglect Contributed To Death Of 15 Year Old Christopher Brennan In Bethlem Hospital Adolescent Unit | Inquest