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Neglect in Care Led to Avoidable Death of Abbi Smith

10/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The coroner ruled that the Essex-based mental health trust neglected Abbi Smith in care, describing the discharge as a "gross failure" and her death as "avoidable."
The inquest found staff failed to recognize Abbi Smith's autism, which significantly affected her treatment.
Ms. Smith expressed suicidal intent before release, and her mother requested a consultation with a specialist autism unit, which received no response.

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Story summary

The coroner ruled that the Essex-based mental health trust neglected Abbi Smith in care, describing the discharge as a "gross failure" and her death as "avoidable."
The inquest found staff failed to recognize Abbi Smith's autism, which significantly affected her treatment.
Ms. Smith expressed suicidal intent before release, and her mother requested a consultation with a specialist autism unit, which received no response.