Patricia Trott

A MUCH-LOVED teacher, who was found dead in her Gospel Oak flat alongside her partner, may have been alive for more than a fortnight after he passed away.

Kevin Gwilt, 68, and Patricia ­Trotter, 73, were discovered in Salcombe Lodge, Lissenden Gardens, in September last year.

At an inquest at Poplar Coroner’s Court coroner Sarah Bourke said pathologists were unable to say how long Ms Trotter, who was ­diagnosed with dementia, had ­been left alone in the flat with her partner’s body after his death.

The troubling details surrounding the tragedy have prompted questions as to what support Riverside housing association workers and the Town Hall offered them.

Both were known to Camden Council’s Adult Social Care team and Riverside, but their file had been closed by social workers in the months leading up to their deaths after they had declined help.

The case has echoes of the discovery of the body of artist Dick French, who died in 2024 in Gospel Oak despite friends raising the alarm that he was at risk.

Mr Gwilt had been the subject of attempts by social workers and health teams to provide care.

Ms Bourke recorded an open verdict at the inquest, telling the court: said: “We do not know how long Patricia was alive after Kevin had died, as pathologists have not been able to express a clear view as to what happened.”

Mr Gwilt and Ms Trotter were both found in their sitting room, wearing hospital gowns.

The inquest heard Mr Gwilt had various medical issues, including liver disease, heart problems, depression and alcoholism.

Patricia’s brother, Stewart Trotter, told the New Journal that Camden Council had been supportive since the tragedy but the family still had unanswered questions.

He said: “We do not know what happened. Was Pat alone with the body? Was she hungry? Was she disabled, unable to move? We heard many different things over the circumstances. We feel it could be further investigated because it was an open verdict. I found it alarming that they said Kevin’s passing could be natural or unnatural.”

Salcombe Lodge

Ms Bourke called the inquest “an unusual case,” adding the couple had lived in Salcombe Lodge for many years.

Ms Trotter was a retired teacher at a school in Hampstead with a wide circle of friends, but was also a deeply private person.

A pathologist found that Ms Trotter had died of natural causes, but Mr Gwilt’s body was decomposed to the point where they could not be sure what caused his death.

The inquest heard evidence from paramedics and police officers, who were called to their flat on September 18 by concerned neighbours.

A police officer, who went to the flat, said: “It did not appear that Ms Trotter had been dead for very long. Mr Gwilt was lying on his back. It appeared that Mr Gwilt had died a ‘considerable time’ before Ms Trotter.”

Neighbours, who said the couple were “frail and in poor health,” told the New Journal last year they had sounded the alarm, calling housing association Riverside and Camden Council repeatedly in the weeks prior to the discovery.

The inquest also heard that there had also been safeguarding reports made by council staff over the condition of their flat.

Statements from health professionals revealed how GPs had been helping Mr Gwilt for a number of years.

He was in and out of hospital in the months leading up to his passing, including being taken to hospital by ambulance on more than one occasion.

Since 2024, there were fears for his safety after he missed appointments and adult safeguarding referrals were made on more than one occasion.

At times, health staff reported he was “in a state of delirium,” suffering from hallucinations and missed further appointments.

On April 20 last year, a letter was sent by the adult social care to the couple – but Mr Gwilt told staff he was “looking after himself” and the case was closed.

Further referrals were made by GPs and hospital staff to Camden’s adult social care team and a social worker had conducted visits  – but the couple were not willing to accept any help. On June 16, the adult social care team said his case was closed.

Ms Bourke said: “Toxicology and post mortem investigations took place and despite this, it was not possible to ascertain medical causes of death because of the level of decomposition. They were able to express the view that he had been dead for some weeks before he was found.

“I cannot rule out a natural or unnatural cause of death. I therefore return an open conclusion.”

A spokesperson for Riverside said: “We are deeply saddened by the deaths of Patricia Trotter and Kevin Gwilt, and our thoughts are with their families, friends and neighbours. Our priority is always our residents’ wellbeing and safety. When concerns arise, we take action and work with the appropriate agencies to make sure people can access the specialist support they need.

“In this case, as the residents were homeowners, we liaised with their support team, who confirmed safeguarding referrals were already in place. Following our own visit, we also made a further referral to the relevant services. We remain committed to working in partnership so residents receive the right help at the right time.”

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “This is a very sad situation and our thoughts and condolences remain with the families and friends of Mr Gwilt and Ms Trotter. They were both known to our Adult Social Care team, who worked with Riverside to offer and provide support. Camden Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board will consider the circumstances surrounding their deaths and consider whether this meets the criteria for a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR), which would consider what the organisations involved could do in future situations similar to this.”