Salcombe Lodge near Parliament Hill

NEIGHBOURS are demanding an urgent inquiry into the deaths of two vulnerable people who may have lain dead in their home for days.

Residents looked on in horror as firefighters broke down a front door on Salcombe Lodge in Lissenden Gardens, near Parliament Hill, to find the bodies of Patricia Trotter and Kevin Gwilt, both believed to have been in their late 60s.

The grim discovery came two weeks ago and now Camden Council’s social services and the housing association which runs the block, Riverside, are facing calls to investigate the circumstances.

People living in neighbouring flats had become increasingly concerned, while an overpowering smell had been reported for more than a week.

“We warned Camden and we warned Riverside that they were in need of help – and neither did anything,” said one resident, who did not want to be named.

“To say we are shocked and upset is an understatement. Patricia and Kevin did not deserve to die like this.”

Neighbours reported how the couple had caused concern and complaints and requests for welfare checks went back years.

In July, the alarm was raised with the council and it has been claimed a social worker did come to visit ­­­– although Camden say they have no record of this taking place.

A neighbour said they had met the council employee on the stairs of the block and was told that they did not want to go into the flat.

“There had been various complaints about a smell over the summer,” they said.

“The social worker turned up on her own and she was worried about them – I think she might have been intimidated – so I said, I’ll go up with you.

“She said she would not go in and could I go inside and take photographs? I did – and it was awful.”

They described chaotic living conditions. The couple were said to be unresponsive to the neighbour, when they entered the flat.

“The bathroom was a scene out of Dante,” they said.“I gave the social worker pictures and said to her – you need to sort this out. t was very clear they were in trouble and it was not sustainable. It was clear they needed help.”

Salcombe Lodge was built in 1980 and has several long term tenants.

It is believed Ms Trotter moved in when the block first opened. Today, its 28 homes are a mix of rented and part-owned housing.

On September 18, the residents’ Whatsapp group had messages highlighting an overpowering odour coming from the flat and concerns that no one had seen the couple for some time. Four days before the couple were found dead, messages seen by the New Journal show how neighbours became increasingly worried and further calls were made to Riverside.

The housing association said it had raised concerns directly with the council.

Another neighbour added: “Pat was quite disabled and would not have survived long if Kevin died first. The failure here is unforgivable. Multiple complaints and warnings from the other residents were not acted on.”

The case bears similarities with the death of Dick French, an artist found in his flat in Gospel Oak last year.

A council investigation later found a series of failures and missed warnings which led to him being undiscovered dead behind his door for a number of days.

“Pat and Kevin have no one to speak for them, no one took this seriously.” said the neighbour.

A Town Hall spokesman said staff had visited the couple in July and offers of help had been declined.

“We are deeply sorry to hear of the circumstances in which they passed. They were both known to our Adult Social Care team and were an extremely private couple who did not wish to involve social services in their lives, regularly declining our offers to visit them at home.

“We are working with partner organisations to fully understand the circumstances of their deaths. We know how difficult it can be when help is not accepted, and our teams will always try to offer support. We would urge anyone who is worried about a neighbour or friend to contact the council so that we can reach out and offer help.”

A spokesperson for Riverside said: “We are saddened by the death of our two customers Patricia Trotter and Kevin Gwilt and want to send our condolences to their loved-ones and neighbours.”

They said contact had been made with the council’s social services on September 11 to “arrange an urgent visit” and then on September 15, a member of its own team had gone to the flat but was “unable to gain access”.

Emergency services were called three days later.

“We recognise the impact that the passing of Miss Trotter and Mr Gwilt may have on our customers in Salcombe Lodge and we want to reassure them that should they have any further questions or concerns they should contact their housing officer,” the spokesperson added.