A woman was found in a state of extreme emaciation, described by doctors as being merely 'days away from death', after allegedly being held captive in her own room for 27 years by her parents.
A Shocking Discovery in Świętochłowice
The skeletal figure, known only as Mirrella, was last seen by the public in 1998 in the city of Świętochłowice in southern Poland. At the time, she was just 15 years old. The local community had long believed the teenager had vanished without a trace nearly three decades ago.
The horrifying truth was uncovered in July 2025 when police were called to an apartment block following reports of a disturbance from neighbours. Deputy Inspector Anna Hryniak informed Polish newspaper Fakt that the 82-year-old landlady denied any altercation had taken place.
From Police Check to Medical Emergency
When officers spoke to Mirrella, she initially assured them there was no problem. However, the police immediately called for medical assistance upon noticing her visible injuries and critical condition.
One local revealed on social media, "Doctors determined that she was only days away from death due to infection. She has been in hospital for two months now due to her critical condition."
The investigation has revealed the profound extent of her isolation. Mirrella herself has expressed that she has never seen her city develop, has never obtained an ID card, and has missed out on the most basic life experiences.
A Life of Isolation and a Community's Response
In a statement that underscores her complete seclusion, it was confirmed she had never visited a dentist or a hairdresser throughout her entire imprisonment. The condition of her hair and teeth is now so critical that it poses a direct threat to her health, necessitating visits to a private clinic.
In a heartening turn, the local community has now rallied around Mirrella, launching a fundraiser to aid her long and complex recovery.
Prosecutor Agnieszka Kwatera has confirmed that an official investigation has been launched to uncover the full truth behind why a healthy 15-year-old girl was forced to disappear, spending almost three decades confined to a single room.
