A tragic inquest has revealed the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding the death of 23-year-old Paloma Shemirani, a Cambridge graduate, whose life was cut short after rejecting conventional treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The case has drawn attention due to her mother, Kay ‘Kate’ Shemirani, a former nurse and prominent anti-vaccine advocate, who allegedly influenced Paloma’s medical decisions.
Paramedics Describe Mother’s Interference
At the Kent and Medway Coroner’s Court, paramedics recounted a tense scene as they tried to save Paloma’s life at the Royal Sussex County Hospital last July.
Robin Bass, a South-East Coast Ambulance Service paramedic, described how Mrs. Shemirani repeatedly interrupted the emergency care team.
“The patient’s mother presented a challenge,” he said, noting that she downplayed her daughter’s cancer diagnosis and insisted Paloma was receiving alternative treatment.
Bass added that he filed a safeguarding report due to concerns about the mother’s influence over her daughter’s refusal of medical care.
The scene reportedly became even more challenging as Mrs. Shemirani questioned the paramedics’ every action, including the medical equipment they used on Paloma.
Accusations of Overdose and Conspiracy
Another paramedic, Karen Clark, explained how she administered three doses of adrenaline in a desperate attempt to revive Paloma, who had no pulse or heartbeat.
Mrs. Shemirani accused her of overdosing Paloma, but Clark clarified, “If a patient is in cardiac arrest, it’s not possible for me to kill them.”
Kate Shemirani continued to claim that medical professionals had conspired against her daughter, challenging reports and suggesting errors in the records of adrenaline doses given.
Paramedic Daniel Cody testified that any confusion over the number of doses was due to a reporting mistake, not negligence.
Doctors Confirm Cancer Complications
Dr. David Bentley, who was called to Paloma’s home after she collapsed, told the court that he believed her breathing difficulties were caused by a tumor obstructing her airway.
Mrs. Shemirani repeatedly questioned him on the use of adrenaline, claiming it caused her daughter’s symptoms. Dr. Bentley firmly denied that an overdose was responsible for Paloma’s collapse.
Family Testimony Highlights Conflict
Paloma’s twin brother, Gabriel, spoke emotionally about the impact of their mother’s decisions.
He stated, “I blame my mother entirely for my sister’s death. In short, I believe that she sacrificed Paloma’s life for her own principles.”
Gabriel praised the paramedics and Dr. Bentley for their efforts, while criticizing his mother’s actions and questioning during the inquest.
Background on Kate Shemirani
At the time of Paloma’s initial cancer diagnosis in 2023, she had been estranged from her mother. However, she later came under her influence.
Kate Shemirani was struck off as a nurse in 2021 after a Nursing and Midwifery Council committee found she had spread Covid-19 misinformation that “put the public at significant risk of harm.”
Next Steps for the Inquest
The inquest has been adjourned until 27th August, with Coroner Catherine Wood expected to give her findings on 3rd September.
Meanwhile, the case continues to highlight the tragic consequences of medical misinformation and parental influence over life-saving treatment.