The family of a 28-year-old Greek shipping heiress, Marissa Laimou, has announced plans to sue the NHS for negligence following her death from an insect bite. Marissa was found dead in her Knightsbridge apartment on September 11, after being discharged from University College London Hospital (UCLH) with a diagnosis of an insect bite.
Marissa had recently overcome breast cancer and a rare blood disease. She first felt unwell on September 8, experiencing dizziness, itching, and fever. A home visit doctor prescribed paracetamol, but her condition worsened. She then saw her oncologist at Leaders in Oncology Care (LOC) on Harley Street, who arranged for her transfer to UCLH by ambulance.
At UCLH, family members claim that nurses, not doctors, examined Marissa and concluded she did not need admission. She was discharged with antibiotics. Her mother, Bessy, told Greek media that toxic shock from an insect bite caused her death, stating: 'My daughter had survived cancer and died from an insect.'
A family member told the Daily Mail: 'This is 100 per cent negligence. Marissa is gone because of them. They could have monitored her, given her antibiotics, they would have saved her.' The family also revealed text messages Marissa sent to a friend while being treated, reading: 'Nobody is checking up on me, nobody is coming.'
The Lemos family, major stakeholders in Greek shipping, confirmed legal action. Friends described Marissa as talented and devoted to the arts, having recently produced a London production of Romeo and Juliet. The Standard has contacted LOC and UCLH for comment.
