Our sister died because of our mum's cancer conspiracy theories, say brothers

Our sister died because of our mum's cancer conspiracy theories, say brothers

treatment plan.

She often talks about her opposition to Covid-19 vaccinations, the use of 5G technology, and the idea that Covid-19 vaccines have tracking devices. She also promotes alternative treatments for Covid-19.

In August 2021, she was temporarily suspended by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the UK’s nursing regulator, for promoting misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines. In a video, she said that vaccines were “an extermination programme” and that NHS workers who administered them were “committing crimes against humanity”.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, she attended an anti-lockdown protest in London and spoke at an anti-vaccination rally. She has also given interviews to conspiracy theory websites and has a growing online presence.

After the cancer diagnosis, Ander showed me messages sent by Kate Shemirani. She told Paloma Gerson therapy could offer “a great reduction in suffering” from chemotherapy and that she would “never judge” her daughter for declining conventional treatment. She said Paloma’s father had “better results”, but Paloma told her mother she wanted to try the alternative route.

Chantelle eventually found out Caitse Shemirani was on the scene, she tells me, when Paloma showed her she could eat and drink unopened presents. She was now following a strict Gerson diet.

Chantelle says that up until that point, Paloma had been eating hospital food and had not mentioned Gerson therapy. “I’m horrified because these people are anti-vaxxers”, Chantelle says. “And now my daughter is literally being treated by people who hold the same practices.” She said she felt “completely helpless”.

Death

Gabriel Shemirani had warned medical staff in private to “expect trouble” as he thought his sister had “mental health as well as physical health issues”.

Chantelle says she was promised by staff that they would “deal with [it] humanely and ethically”, but says that she and Ander had difficult discussions about whether to tell Paloma’s doctors about her mother’s beliefs.

Paloma came to Maidstone Hospital in a critical condition on Christmas Day. She had been sick and unable to stomach food.

A doctor raising safeguarding concerns by phone spoke to Kate Shemirani earlier that day, while she was in the hospital supporting Paloma.

Paloma died on 29 December after suffering renal failure and being placed on dialysis. A death certificate seen by the BBC says the cause of death was complications from non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

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According to her final wishes, she was cremated. Chantelle made an application to Maidstone Borough Council for a copy of Paloma’s medical records, but they have not been provided.

Paloma’s mother and brother told the BBC they are in contact with legal representatives covering matters around Paloma’s care. Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, which runs Maidstone Hospital, said it was unable to comment due to patient confidentiality.

Legal action

Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Police confirmed to the BBC it was investigating the death of Paloma, at the request of the Kent Coroner’s Office. “The investigation is at an early stage, and inquiries continue to establish the circumstances surrounding her death,” the force said.

Chantelle and Ander say they now want answers from the authorities about what happened to Paloma and whether her mother had a significant influence on her decisions. Chantelle says it is now an “official investigation” that could take up to one year.

Chantelle says she is determined to keep Paloma’s memory alive. “I don’t want her life to be in vain – she should have had everything”, she says. “I will never understand or forgive her brother Gabriel [and] that woman for not saving her”.

Sebastian acknowledged the finality of the situation. “It’s no longer a book that one cannot put down. It’s life. It’s really over. I think there will be a lot I will never truly understand.”

More information

If you or someone you know is struggling to cope, please contact Samaritans on this helpline: 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

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