Son's decomposed body found after mother's death

The body of a man who may have lain dead in a bedroom for several years was only found following his mother's death at the family home, an inquest has heard.

The decomposed remains of Carl Sampson, believed to have died about six years earlier, were found in the house in Rotherham on 21 March after a neighbour saw his mother Ann Sampson, 73, lying on the living room floor.

Police found damage from an electrical fire downstairs and her son, who had been in his 50s, was found upstairs, the inquest heard.

A pathologist concluded Ann Sampson died from breathing in smoke, with a secondary condition of heart disease, while the cause of her son's death could not be ascertained due his decomposition.

The inquest, held at Doncaster Coroner's Court, was told that Carl Sampson had been living with Huntington's disease and was being cared for by his mother at their home in Treeton Crescent.

In a statement, Carl Sampson's son, Ethan, said he had last seen his father in 2019 and his grandmother in 2021, but after that she never answered the door.

He said his grandmother had not spoken to him for a few years because she did not approve of his relationship with his girlfriend.

However, he added that his grandmother loved his dad and that "she was his carer and protector and would've done anything for him".

The hearing was told how Carl Sampson's former partner Lisa Gilbank had called Rotherham Council's social services department in 2021 over concerns about his welfare, but was told the call had been logged and there was not thought to be any reason to take further action.

Carl Sampson had not been in contact with his GP since 2007 and was not claiming any benefits, the inquest was told.

In another statement, neighbour Sharon Coney she said she had known Ann Sampson for 46 years and that she had not left the house since Covid, adding that the pandemic had "really scared her".

Coney's statement said she would often speak to Ann Sampson and do her shopping, but had not been inside the house since 2015.

Assistant Coroner Simon Tai recorded Ann Sampson's death as accidental, but recorded an open conclusion into Carl Sampson's death.

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