A coroner has concluded that a mother killed herself and her severely disabled eight-year-old daughter after becoming overwhelmed by loneliness and isolation. Martina Karos, 40, and Eleni Edwards were found dead at their home in Salford, Greater Manchester, on 23 September 2024, after the girl failed to attend school.
Bolton Coroner's Court heard that Karos, a full-time carer for her daughter, struggled with her mental health following a relationship breakdown. She told a friend she felt life was not worth living and became emotionally distant from Eleni, who was blind and had limited mobility. Despite receiving support from social services, including daily visits from carers, respite care, and therapy, Karos felt socially isolated.
Area Coroner Peter Sigee ruled that Karos killed herself and unlawfully killed her daughter by exposing them to carbon monoxide. He stated that despite high-quality support from family, friends, and professionals, Karos experienced extreme loneliness that overwhelmed her. He added that there was no objective basis to suspect she would harm herself or her daughter, and the tragedy could not have been reasonably foreseen.
A close friend described Karos as a good mother who was 'very bright' and spoke multiple languages. He said social isolation was the main problem, noting that she was alone with her non-verbal daughter every night and had nobody. He urged people to understand that Martina was a great person who got stuck in a terrible place.
