The family of a Greek heiress who was killed after a “toxic insect bite” have slammed authorities after being forced to wait a fortnight for a post-mortem.
Marissa Laimou, 30, was found dead by a housekeeper at the family's townhouse in Knightbridge, west London on Thursday, September 11.
But her family — one of the biggest dynasties in Greece’s shipping industry — have been unable to hold a funeral for their daughter because an autopsy has yet to commence.
A relative told the Daily Mail: “This is totally unacceptable and unheard of. They are playing with our grief. It was completely appalling. We had our tragedy, we lost Marissa and it has taken forever. There is no reason for this.”
They added: “I really don't know how these people work here. We are frustrated, there are no words to describe this. Marissa's mother has lost her child and she can't find any answers.”
Days before her death, Ms Laimou’s relatives said she reported dizziness, itching and a temperature to medics at two hospitals in the capital.
Despite being rushed to A&E in an ambulance on one occasion, the former Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts student was discharged both times and later died at home.
She previously fought breast cancer and had an extremely rare blood disease, but her loves ones claimed she was back to being “perfectly healthy”.
Her mother Bessy and father Diamantis have hired lawers amid plans to sue University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) for civil medical negligence, claiming she was only treated by nurses and discharged her when her blood pressure was low.
They claim an official diagnosis of her symptoms was concluded as the “toxic effect of venom” caused by an “animal or insect bite”.
“We have spoken to the Greek coroner and pathologist and it takes two hours in Athens,” the relative said. “They take the body, they check very well, and that's it.”
A post-mortem is reportedly taking place on Thursday, paving the way for Ms Laimou’s body to be returned to the Greek capital for her burial.
Marissa's mother believes her daughter has gone because of them
The relative said: “Marissa's mother believes her daughter has gone because of them. It was urgent. They didn't address it with the serious way they should have done.
“It's not the first time. Every day, something is happening with the NHS. Where are we? Are we in Africa? Marissa lost her child. Everybody says in all the countries the system is getting worse and worse in the UK, everybody knows it.”
They added: “(The family) are all shattered, we are a very close family. We cannot find why and how this could happen nowadays in 2025.
“If she was in a village, you could understand it maybe. But she did it by the book. She did everything right.”
A spokesman for Inner West London Coroner's Court said: “The coroner is dealing with the sudden death of Marissa Lemos and investigations are ongoing.”
UCLH said in a statement: “We were extremely sad to hear of the death of Marissa Lemos. We offer our deep condolences to her family and friends at this sad and difficult time. We have initiated an internal investigation as is the normal process for an unexpected death. We await the result of the post-mortem, and we will provide any information required from the coroner’s court.”
