Please note : This inquest has been adjourned and has been relisted to take place on 23 February 2026. More information here

The inquest into the death of James Stow is due to commence on Monday 2nd June 2025 at South London Coroner’s Court.

The following organisations are involved in the inquest:-

  1. Metropolitan Police Service

  2. Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

  3. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

James, aged 47, was detained within the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (“SLAM”) under section 3 of the Mental Health Act from 16 June 2021.

James had a long history of mental illness and had absconded from hospital prior to his death. He absconded from Rosa Parks ward on 18 September 2021 whilst under section.

He was subsequently admitted to Croydon University Hospital (“CUH”) for medical treatment and, after his admission was known, he was placed on a period of section 17 leave for medical treatment at CUH by SLAM, before he absconded on the evening of 25 September 2021.

A Registered Mental Health Nurse from Rosa Parks Ward was not sent over to CUH to supervise James whilst there. Rosa Parks Ward were informed of this by CUH staff from the medical ward. The staff nurse advised that he was reported as missing to the police. Rosa Parks Ward continued to make contact with the police on a regular basis to obtain updates from them. Unfortunately, James remained AWOL and could not be found. A member of staff saw James in a local high street at a later date and reported this to the police.

James’ body was found in woodland in November 2021 although he was not formally identified until January 2023. SLAM did not learn of James’ death until July 2023 when a complaint was submitted to the Trust by his sister.

The medical cause of death is unascertainable due to the level of decomposition.

James is described by his sister as football mad and supported Tottenham. They shared an extremely close bond growing up. James was incredibly intelligent and became a qualified accountant. He had a love for travelling the world and visited many places. Sadly, in the early 2000’s, James’ sister began to see a slow decline in his mental health which he then went on to struggle with for many years.

The inquest will be heard with a jury and is listed for 5 days. Evidence will be heard from a number of medical professionals and police officers involved in the circumstances surrounding James’s death.

The scope of the inquest will consider:-

  1. James’ medical background and an overview of his mental health history, including any history of self-neglect or self-harm;

  2. The decisions made by SLAM regarding his detention under section 3 and any periods of leave under section 17;

  3. His history of absconding whilst under section;

  4. The period of treatment by SLAM from 01/09/21 to 25/09/21;

  5. The period of treatment by CUH from 18/09/21 to 25/09/21;

  6. Where responsibility lay for managing James’ detention under section 3/section 17 when he was at CUH including what measures were in place to keep him safe and prevent him from leaving the hospital;

  7. The circumstances in which James left CUH on 25/09/21;

  8. The actions taken by the police once James was reported as a missing person;

  9. The circumstances in which James’ body was found and identified and the extent to which the medical cause of death can be ascertained.

Kelly Darlington, Partner at Farleys Solicitors and Camille Warren of Garden Court Chambers are instructed to represent James’ sister.

Kelly commented,

“This is an extremely sad case of a very vulnerable 47-year-old man who managed to abscond during a state of mental health crisis. When he was found, this was in a location a stone’s throw away from where his sister had lived for many years. The inquest will investigate a number of important issues surrounding his death, including how James managed to abscond, and the actions taken by the police in trying to locate him when he was reported missing.”