A woman was found pushing her deceased daughter in a shopping center after keeping her remains for over a year, believing she was still alive.
Joan Turnell told cops something odd. She believed her daughter had been dead over a year. She still wheeled Tracey’s remains around. Staff at a home association grew worried in November 2023. Neighbors reported a terrible smell. They also noted many flies at Joan’s home.
The housing staff visited Joan’s flat. Joan refused to let them inside to check. She wrapped Tracey’s body in red. Joan took the body to the shops. She hoped to prove Tracey lived.
Housing officers followed Joan. They noticed a terrible smell. It came from the wheelchair. They called the police for help then. Police met Joan in the town center. Officers moved the chair to a car park. They found a badly decayed body underneath. The Mirror reported this news.
Joan told police something strange. She asked why they bothered them both. Joan said they were fine. She claimed she was looking after Tracey. The coroner, Graeme Irvine, held an inquest.
He confirmed Joan was sectioned. This was done under the Mental Health Act. Police went to Joan’s apartment later. It was filthy, with waste everywhere. Rodents and bugs were all over.
Joan received a diagnosis. It showed prolonged grief and a brain tumor. She did not attend the inquest. Her mental state was too poor. It would be inhumane. She was not charged. This was preventing Tracey’s burial.
Joan wrote to the court. She did not know what killed Tracey. She did not call for help either. She thought help wouldn’t matter. She kept Tracey with her. Joan could not bear to lose her. She loved Tracey too much.
Tracey dealt with physical problems. These included a curved spine and injured knee. Her arms were also deformed, said The Recorder. Joan said Tracey had no friends. She was never in love. Mr. Irvine called them “off grid.” He said they were withdrawn.
Tracey relied heavily on Mom. Neither woman saw a doctor. They had no ID or Internet. There were no photos of Tracey. Police had to use DNA to ID her. Joan thought Tracey died earlier. She suspected it was September 2022.
They watched a movie, Joan recalled. Tracey’s eyes then became fixed. She did not move after that point. Tracey decayed so much. Doctors could not find a cause. The coroner called it inconclusive. He issued an “unascertained conclusion.”
He gave an open verdict. He criticized the council. He said they missed chances to help. He called Tracey’s death concerning. The circumstances of death were tragic too.
