Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust will not face prosecution following a police investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nevaeh Owen, who died after using a ligature at Oak Ward in Royal Bolton Hospital in March 2024, the Manchester Evening News understands.
Police Investigation Concludes
Greater Manchester Police began investigating in early 2025 to determine if the incident should be treated as homicide, considering potential offences of corporate manslaughter or gross negligence manslaughter. The investigation focused on senior managers and staff involved in Nevaeh's care, as well as the emergency response after she was found unresponsive. The force sought expert opinion via the Crown Prosecution Service's Complex Case Unit.
Nevaeh's mother, Lynda, has now been informed that after consultation with the CPS, the case does not meet the evidentiary threshold for prosecution. She said: "I am devastated. I have had confirmation from the police who have said it does not meet the criteria required. I can't do anything about it, but now the wheels are in motion for the inquest to at last take place. I honestly don't know what more evidence was needed. Now to focus on the inquest - its only taken two and a half years."
Family's Long Wait for Justice
Lynda had previously expressed her prolonged agony while waiting for the outcome. She said: "I just feel in limbo. I cannot grieve my child. I have my phone in my hand constantly waiting for updates. My life is being consumed by this. I just want an answer so I know where we stand."
Two pre-inquest reviews had been held at Bolton Coroners' Court, but the full inquest was postponed pending the criminal investigation. The inquest was referred back to GMP by the Coroner 18 months ago. Lynda is unsure when the inquest will take place but expects it early next year.
Safety Concerns Raised Before Death
At a pre-inquest review in August 2024, the family's legal representatives stated that Nevaeh's parents feared "if Nevaeh remained on Oak Ward she would die." The court heard that Oak Ward was criticised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2022 for major safety risks, particularly regarding "ligatures and environmental ligature risks." Lynda claimed she repeatedly asked for her daughter to be transferred after she used ligatures multiple times.
Nevaeh had been sectioned at age 15 and placed in an adolescent mental health unit run by the Trust at Cheadle Royal Hospital in 2021. She later moved to the Trust's Junction 17 unit in January 2023. In September 2023, she was admitted to Oak Ward at Royal Bolton Hospital. Lynda said: "Every day while she was on Oak Ward there were incidents." A tribunal recommended Nevaeh be moved from the ward, but the recommendation was not enforceable, and she remained.
Independent Review Completed
An independent Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) commissioned by Bolton Adult Safeguarding has been completed and is due to be published soon. SARs are statutory multi-agency reviews under the Care Act 2014, conducted when an adult with care and support needs dies from abuse or neglect, aiming to learn lessons and improve practice.
Statements from Authorities
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust did not respond to requests for comment on the police investigation. In a 2024 statement, Dr Arasu Kuppuswamy, Chief Medical Officer, said: "We are sorry for their loss and our thoughts are with the family and friends at this sad time. We will participate fully in the coroner's inquest to understand the circumstances, and what we can learn from them."
Greater Manchester Police said: "After careful consideration of all available evidence and following early consultation with the CPS, the decision has been made to end the criminal investigation against any individuals or involved organisations."
The CPS stated: "The Crown Prosecution Service provided early advice (EA) to Greater Manchester Police in this case but was not asked to make a charging decision. Early advice (EA) is not the same as making a charging decision against any individuals or bodies which would require a full file of evidence to be brought to the CPS by the police following any investigation. Providing EA does not always lead to a full file coming back to the CPS."
