AAFDA CEO Frank Mullane Awarded MBE in 2019 New Year's Honours list
PRESS RELEASE
Inquest into the death of Michelle Sparman concluded Monday 17 November 2025
[18 November 2025]
An inquest into the death of Michelle Sparman, that opened on Monday 27 January 2025, has concluded at Inner West London Coroner’s Court on Monday 17 November 2025.
Michelle died on 28 August 2021, after being admitted to Queen Mary’s Hospital as a voluntary inpatient. Michelle’s family are of the view that in the years preceding her death, she had been subjected to domestic abuse by her ex-partner. The inquest heard evidence about how these abusive behaviours negatively impacted upon Michelle and caused a deterioration in her emotional and mental wellbeing.
The inquest was led by Assistant Coroner Bernard Richmond KC, who concluded that Michelle died by “suicide whilst the balance of her mind was disturbed, contributed to by neglect”.
The Coroner included within his list of probable causes of death: her “justifiable feelings of abuse” as a result of his [ex-partner] behaviour, which included “intemperate and excessive texting” from him, which called into question her mental health and fitness to be a mother; He added that her ex-partner’s messaging constituted harassment and left Michelle feeling “trapped”.
The Coroner also found neglect, citing inadequate searching on leaving and entering Rose Ward, a locked 20-bed female-only mental health unit at Queen Mary’s hospital in Roehampton.
Since December 2021, AAFDA has provided advocacy to Michelle’s siblings, Shaun Case and Anthea White, and has supported them to navigate various statutory processes. The family has fought tirelessly since Michelle’s death to ensure that her voice was heard. AAFDA welcomes the Assistant Coroner’s willingness to hear evidence on Michelle’s experiences of domestic abuse and how this adversely impacted upon her wellbeing.
Frank Mullane, CEO of AAFDA said, “Michelle Sparman felt “trapped” by the domestic abuse she was experiencing. This was a finding from the inquest which concluded that Michelle’s view that she suffered abuse was justifiable and that this was one of four probable causes of death. The family and multiple medical professionals also concluded that Michelle suffered domestic abuse. It is fitting that more coroners are beginning to see and understand the links between domestic abuse and suicide. The Coroner also found that the mental health unit where Michelle was staying had inadequate searching and poor record keeping. Michelle had presented at this unit with clear red flags that that she was at risk of harming herself. It is critical that these facilities are properly resourced and set up, to ensure that those who feel trapped by domestic abuse are not neglected in their hour of greatest need.”.
Domestic abuse is now leading to more suicides than homicides, a fact which is supported by the police[1], and it is recognised that there is an increased risk of suicidality for victims of domestic abuse[2]. In cases where somebody is thought to have taken their own life following suspected domestic abuse, AAFDA believes that it is imperative to ensure that the true facts about domestic abuse are known so that the coroner can form an accurate conclusion. Recognising the link between suicide and domestic abuse is paramount to raising awareness and preventing future deaths.
With thanks to Hogan Lovells International LLP and Jennifer MacLeod and Jagoda Klimowicz of Brick Court Chambers, who provided pro bono representation to Michelle’s siblings through the inquest, and to Southall Black Sisters, for their excellent support.
[1] Hoeger, K., Gutierrez-Munoz, C., Sadullah, A. and Whitaker, A., 2025. Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme (VKPP) Domestic Homicides and Suspected Victim Suicides 2020-2024 Year 4 Report.
[2] Aitken, R. and Munro, V., 2018. Domestic abuse and suicide: exploring the links with refuge’s client Base and work force. London: Refuge.
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