Paloma Shemirani, a 23-year-old Cambridge graduate, died in July 2024 after refusing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, an inquest has heard. Doctors had given her an 80% chance of recovery with conventional treatment. The coroner ruled that her mother, Kay Shemirani, also known as online influencer Kate Shemirani, 'more than minimally' contributed to her death by advising against medical advice and promoting alternative therapies.
Consultant haematologist Arunodaya Mohan told the inquest that Paloma initially agreed to a steroid prescription and a PET scan but later declined all treatment after being discharged from hospital. Mohan expressed concern that Kay Shemirani was influencing her daughter's decisions. Despite Paloma insisting the choice was her own, the coroner concluded that with proper support, she would likely have chosen chemotherapy and survived.
Kay Shemirani, a former nurse struck off in 2021 for spreading Covid-19 misinformation, took a leading role in arranging alternative treatments. Paloma had been estranged from her mother before her diagnosis but moved in with her after leaving hospital. In written statements to the High Court, Paloma cited her 'background in natural healing' as a reason for refusing chemotherapy and expressed confidence in alternative methods.
Paloma's twin brother, Gabriel, blamed their mother entirely for her death, stating she 'sacrificed Paloma's life for her own principles'. He had initiated High Court proceedings to assess her care options, but Paloma died before they concluded. The inquest also heard that a forensic psychiatrist, Ali Ajaz, who had appeared on Kay's podcast and had a professional relationship with her, conducted sessions with Paloma.
