Lynda Owen, the mother of 18-year-old Neveah Owen who died in March 2024 on a mental health ward at Royal Bolton Hospital, says she has been left unable to grieve due to delays in the justice system. Greater Manchester Police investigated Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust for potential corporate manslaughter or gross negligence. A file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a decision on whether to prosecute.
CPS Decision Delayed by Peer Review
Earlier this month, Lynda was told by GMP that the CPS decision would come within days. Instead, she learned the decision is subject to a peer review—an evaluation by other CPS experts—which could take four to five more weeks. She said: "I was told earlier this month to expect a decision by Friday of that week. I emailed police on the Monday when I did not get it. A detective messaged me back to say a lawyer had sent it over for questions and answers but then the lawyer went on annual leave."
An email from the adult safeguarding review (SAR) team informed her the SAR report, which she requested name Neveah, could not be shared until the criminal decision is made. Lynda said: "It is soul destroying. You feel like you are getting somewhere then you feel you are getting nowhere. I just feel in limbo. I cannot grieve my child. I have my phone in my hand constantly waiting for updates. My life is being consumed by this. I just want an answer so I know where we stand."
Inquest Delayed for Over a Year
Neveah only has an interim death certificate. Two pre-inquest reviews at Bolton Coroner's Court were cancelled due to the ongoing criminal investigation. The inquest has been delayed since the case was referred back to GMP by the coroner a year and a half ago. Lynda said: "Even if it is a no—so we can then get on with the inquest."
In August 2024, a pre-inquest review heard Neveah died six months after being transferred to Oak Ward, an adult ward run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust. Her family’s legal representatives said her parents feared that ‘if Nevaeh remained on Oak Ward she would die’. The court heard Oak Ward had been slammed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2022 for major safety risks, including ligature risks.
Family's Repeated Pleas for Transfer
Lynda claims she repeatedly asked for Neveah to be transferred after she used ligatures multiple times. The CQC had ‘identified quite serious safety concerns’ around ‘ligatures and environmental ligature risks’. Neveah had a history of self-harm and overdoses, and had been sectioned at age 15. She spent two years in adolescent units before being moved to Oak Ward at 18. Lynda said: "I begged them not to send her to a general acute ward because she had spent two years plus on such wards and they are supposed to be stepping stones to getting you where you need to be. Both myself and Nevaeh felt another acute ward would not benefit her."
Despite a tribunal recommending Neveah’s transfer, it could not enforce it. Five days before her death, Neveah used a suspended ligature and was cut down by staff. On March 14, 2024, she used a suspended ligature again, which proved fatal. Lynda believes her daughter could not face a scheduled ward round the next day.
Trust and Police Statements
A GMP spokesperson said in July 2024: "We are investigating aspects into the circumstances surrounding the death of 18-year-old Neveah Owen on March 16th 2024 whilst she was an in-patient on an acute mental health unit in Bolton. Our investigation is currently in the early stages. We're supporting Neveah’s family and keeping them updated."
Dr Arasu Kuppuswamy, Chief Medical Officer at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said in 2024: "We are sorry for their loss and our thoughts are with the family and friends at this sad time. We will participate fully in the coroner's inquest to understand the circumstances, and what we can learn from them."
