Lonely mum took own life and daughter's

A single mother "overwhelmed" by loneliness and isolation took her own life and that of her severely disabled eight-year-old daughter, a coroner concluded.

Martina Karos, 40, and Eleni Edwards were found at the home they shared on South Radford Street, Salford, Greater Manchester, in September 2024.

Karos had struggled with her mental health and caring for her daughter had left her feeling socially isolated and lonely, the joint inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court heard.

Coroner Peter Sigee said "Ms Karos deliberately placed herself and daughter in an environment where they were overcome by the toxic effects of carbon monoxide with the intention and effect of ending both their lives."

Karos, originally from Poland and who had worked as a translator, had struggled with her mental health after the break-up of a relationship, the inquest heard.

She had told a friend she felt life was not worth living and, at times, had become emotionally distant from her daughter, who was blind and had limited mobility.

Eleni was put on a Child Protection Plan by social services staff at Salford City Council in January 2024, and mother and child had a range of support services, the court heard.

These included daily visits from carers, social workers, short and medium-term respite care, counselling, talking therapy and psychotherapy.

Social workers had also accompanied Karos to social activities to try to get her to make new friendships - but she struggled with such initiatives, the hearing was told.

Sigee, area coroner for Greater Manchester West, concluded the four-day inquest into the deaths of the mother and daughter by stating Karos had taken her own life and Eleni had been unlawfully killed by her mother.

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He said: "Despite a high level of good quality, focused support and care from family, her limited group of friends and professionals, including GP, specialised mental health services, social workers and carers, Ms Karos experienced feelings of extreme loneliness and isolation which overwhelmed her.

"Ms Karos decided to end her life."

The coroner said Karos had denied any thoughts of harming herself or Eleni and there was no "objective basis" to suspect she would do so, adding: "This tragic incident could not reasonably have been foreseen."

Karos moved to England in 2003 and studied languages at university, working as a translator and interpreter.

After being told she could not have children, she became pregnant with Eleni and was "surprised and excited".

The pregnancy was normal but six months or so after her daughter's birth in June 2016, it became apparent Eleni was very severely disabled, unable to see or communicate verbally and with restricted mobility.

Karos was described as a "devoted" mother at the inquest, and Eleni was happy and "thriving" despite her disabilities.

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