A coroner has concluded that a 23-year-old woman who died after refusing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma was 'adversely influenced' by her mother, a former nurse and conspiracy theorist. Paloma Shemirani passed away in July 2024, despite doctors estimating she had an 80% chance of recovery with conventional treatment.
At an inquest in Maidstone, Kent, coroner Catherine Wood stated that the influence of Kay and Faramarz Shemirani 'more than minimally' contributed to her death. Wood noted that if Paloma had been supported to accept her diagnosis and consider chemotherapy with an open mind, she 'probably would have followed that course' and survived.
Kay Shemirani, known online as Kate Shemirani, was struck off as a nurse in 2021 for spreading Covid-19 misinformation. The inquest heard that she took a leading role in advising Paloma on alternative treatments. Consultant haematologist Arunodaya Mohan expressed concerns that Kay was influencing her daughter's refusal of treatment.
Paloma initially agreed to a steroid treatment and PET scan but later declined chemotherapy after being discharged from hospital. She moved in with her mother and pursued alternative therapies. In written statements to the High Court, Paloma cited her 'background in natural healing' and said she was 'delighted' with her alternative treatment, believing she would make a full recovery.
Paloma's twin brother, Gabriel, told the inquest he blamed his mother entirely for his sister's death, accusing her of 'sacrificing Paloma's life for her own principles'. The inquest also heard that a forensic psychiatrist who treated Paloma had a professional relationship with Kay and appeared on her podcast.
