A heartbreaking story unfolding in Nottinghamshire has cast a shadow on the protocols of emergency services, as an inquest investigates the tragic deaths of Alphonsine Djiako Leuga, 47, and her daughter Loraine Choulla, 18. The pair were discovered deceased in their home in May 2024 — nearly four months after Leuga had placed a desperate 999 emergency call that never resulted in an ambulance dispatch.
Leuga, who was suffering from sickle cell anaemia, had been recently discharged from hospital against medical advice. She feared for the wellbeing of her daughter, who had Down syndrome and severe learning disabilities and was entirely dependent on her. During the call in February, Leuga told dispatchers she couldn’t move. Tragically, after several failed attempts to return her call, the report was marked as "abandoned," and no ambulance was sent.
As the investigation continues, testimony revealed that Leuga had become increasingly isolated. She had withdrawn her daughter from school in 2022 and limited contact with social services — reportedly due to fear that Loraine might be taken into care.
According to Dr. Stuart Hamilton, the forensic pathologist who examined the bodies, the two may have been dead for weeks — if not months — before being discovered. Leuga’s cause of death was recorded as pneumonia of uncertain cause, while Loraine’s remains officially unascertained.
In a deeply emotional statement read at the inquest, Leuga’s older daughter Elvira described her mother as a patient and devoted caregiver, despite their strained relationship. She shared that her mother’s love for Loraine was unwavering.
Authorities are now reviewing how such a breakdown in communication and response occurred. The inquest, which has garnered national attention, continues this week as the public seeks answers and accountability.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and reflects publicly available details from the inquest. We urge readers to refrain from speculation and allow the official investigation to run its course.
