An ongoing inquest has shed light on the tragic deaths of Alphonsine Djiako Leuga, 47, and her 18-year-old daughter, Loraine Choulla, whose bodies were discovered at their Nottinghamshire home in May 2024. Nearly four months earlier, Leuga had called 999 requesting an ambulance, but emergency services never arrived. At the time, she reported being unable to move due to her illness, while her daughter, who had Down syndrome and severe learning disabilities, was entirely dependent on her.

Leuga, who suffered from sickle cell anaemia, had been discharged from hospital just weeks before, despite medical staff advising her to stay. She left against their wishes, concerned about returning home to care for her daughter. According to court testimony, the emergency call she placed in February was marked as “abandoned” and was closed by the dispatcher after failed attempts to call her back. The ambulance was never dispatched.

The court also heard that Leuga had gradually restricted access to social services, fearing her daughter might be taken into care. She withdrew Loraine from school in 2022 and became increasingly isolated. Her older daughter, Elvira, shared in a letter read at the inquest that while her relationship with her mother was strained, Leuga was deeply loving and patient with Loraine.

Pathologist Dr. Stuart Hamilton stated the pair could have been deceased for several weeks or even months before being found. Leuga’s death was attributed to pneumonia of uncertain cause, while Loraine’s remains unascertained. The case has raised serious questions about the response protocols of emergency services, and the inquest continues this week.