Grandmother found dead by son after paramedics visited then left her alone
A Hobart woman was found dead and decomposing by her son on the floor of her home but was last seen alive months earlier who left her alone in the house after a “bizarre” interaction.
Findings were published on Tuesday and coroner Simon Cooper said it was difficult to understand why Kim Leonie Maree Szemes, 60, was left in the house that didn’t have hot water, lighting or power.
Mrs Szemes, whose mental health was in a state of decline, died sometime between May 28th and October 8th 2018.
Neighbours called police on May 28 after not seeing the mother-of-two in several weeks.
Officers reportedly found Mrs Szemes underneath several blankets in bed wearing a beanie and noted she was incoherent and struggling to speak.
An ambulance was called and officers left the house under the impression she would be taken to hospital.
“However, the attending paramedics did not take Mrs Szemes to hospital,” Mr Cooper wrote.
“Instead, because she asked them to leave, they left her in bed.”
Ambulance Tasmania case records note Mrs Szemes was difficult to understand, had minimal fluid intake and was showing bizarre and irrational behaviour.
Mr Cooper said it was “difficult to understand” why paramedics left, considering what was described in the case notes.
Mrs Szemes had been living alone for four years and was not seen alive after paramedics left at 6:16pm.
She was found dead on her bedroom floor by her adult son five months later, after he forced his way into her house.
Mr Cooper said that there was no evidence of violence, assault or that Mrs Szemes’ death was due to suicide.