Defendants, the parents of a girl who rejected chemotherapy, confronted in court over their unacceptable conduct.
The inquest into the death of Paloma Shemirani, a 23-year-old Cambridge graduate, is currently being held at Kent and Medway Coroner's Court in Maidstone. The proceedings have been marked by familial conflict, parental interference with medical care, and contentious behavior from the deceased's parents, Dr. Faramarz Shemirani and Kay "Kate" Shemirani.
Paloma was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the autumn of 2023. The inquest revealed that she refused chemotherapy and instead opted for alternative treatments, including coffee enemas, diet changes, and green juices. This decision has sparked concern among medical professionals and raised questions about the role of the Shemiranis' anti-vaccine and conspiracy theory views in Paloma's refusal of standard cancer treatment.
On the day of her collapse, Paloma was treated by osteopath Nick Gosset. Mr. Gosset described her condition as being in the "last stages of a very difficult disease." He also noted the presence of lymphoid masses extending from Paloma's right shoulder up to her neck, which he had never seen before in his 43 years of practice.
However, the Shemiranis have blamed medical professionals for their daughter's death. During the inquest, Mrs. Shemirani, who was struck off as a nurse in 2021 for spreading dangerous COVID-19 misinformation, accused osteopath Nick Gosset of lying under oath. The coroner, Catherine Wood, warned Dr. Shemirani to confine his questioning to asking questions of the witness as a witness of fact.
The Shemiranis' behavior during the inquest has been criticized by the coroner. Ms. Wood found Dr. Shemirani's behavior contemptuous to the court and warned him that he cannot come back to question topics after a ruling has been made. Dr. Shemirani has threatened to challenge the coroner by judicial review.
The inquest has been extended due to the length of time needed to present evidence and question witnesses. The controversy surrounding the Shemiranis' beliefs and actions raises broader issues about how conspiracy beliefs can impact critical healthcare decisions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of evidence-based medicine and the potential consequences of ignoring established medical practices.
References
- BBC News. (2024, July 31). Paloma Shemirani: Cambridge graduate who died aged 23 after refusing chemotherapy. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-62726363
- The Guardian. (2024, July 31). Cambridge graduate Paloma Shemirani died after refusing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jul/31/cambridge-graduate-paloma-shemirani-died-after-refusing-chemotherapy-for-non-hodgkin-lymphoma
- The Telegraph. (2024, July 31). Paloma Shemirani: Cambridge graduate died after refusing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/31/paloma-shemirani-cambridge-graduate-died-refusing-chemotherapy/
- The current inquest, involving the death of Paloma Shemirani, a young graduate, has brought warring views to light, particularly concerning alternative treatments for medical-conditions like cancer and the role of conspiracy theories in health-and-wellness decisions.
- Amidst coverage of this case in general-news outlets, concerns have resurfaced about mental-health issues related to such contentious beliefs and the impact on individuals' health and wellness.
- Additionally, the case of Paloma Shemirani has shed light on crime-and-justice matters, as her parents, who have been involved in spreading dangerous COVID-19 misinformation, are now facing contempt charges for their disruptive behavior during the inquest.
- The evolving proceedings of the inquest continue to grab headlines in science news, as experts discuss the expanse of established medical practices in the treatment of cancer, prompting a need for reevaluation of personal choices and their consequences.
