Elderly woman dead ‘for at least a week’ before she was discovered

An elderly woman who died in her flat was not discovered for at least a week, according to her neighbours.

Kathleen Hassett, 79, was found dead in her flat in Bacon Grove, Bermondsey, after neighbours noticed a “strong smell of decomposing flesh”.

Ms Hassett lived alone in the Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) accommodation, but did not access any care through the housing association or the local authority.

Her neighbours described her as a “recluse” and said they often did not see her for many days.

Nigel Mountford, who lives on the ground floor of the building Ms Hassett was found in, said he returned to his home from a weekend away and was immediately aware of the “stench”.

“I became very concerned for the welfare of my neighbour,” he said. “The police attended and discovered Kathy dead and the smell was indeed her decomposing body.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed officers forced entry to Ms Hassett’s flat on June 30 and found an elderly woman was deceased.

The Met said her next of kin had been informed and that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Mountford said he checked Ms Hassett’s post and found items more than a week old.

“She always checked her post,” he added.

Mr Mountford claimed Ms Hassett had a number of disabilities yet was made to live on the third floor without a lift.

“It used to take her about six minutes to climb from the main entrance to her flat,” he said.

“Kathy was a sweet and harmless lady with no friends or family. I am left wondering if she might have lived had she been rehoused to the ground floor, or to some sort of sheltered accommodation. 

“As always with health and social care, the “squeaky wheel gets the grease”. The Kathys of this world, troubling no one, are left to die alone.”

A spokesman for MTVH said: “We understand how distressing Kathleen’s death must be for neighbours and all who knew her.

“Since Kathleen’s body was discovered, we have been in regular contact with the other residents of the block to provide information, support and reassurance. 

“We review all serious incidents and will assess Kathleen’s situation in detail. At this time we are not aware of any concerns of neglect or vulnerabilities in the months prior to Kathleen’s death, nor that she had raised with us any concerns about the suitability of her property or requested a move to a different property.”

Pictured top: Candles lit by neighbours for Kathleen Hassett (Picture: Nigel Mountford)