‘Anti Vax’ mum ‘interrupted’ paramedics trying to save daughter from heart attack
Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing
The death of 23-year-old Paloma Shemirani has made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Described as an 'anti-vaxxer', the Cambridge graduate was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in December 2023.
The Essex-native passed away on 24 July, 2024 following a fatal heart attack, which health experts believe to be a direct result of the non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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However, the young model and her mum seemingly disagreed, as Paloma went as far as refusing chemotherapy and only trying 'alternative' methods such as green juices and coffee enemas.
Her mum, Kay 'Kate' Shemirani, is a former NHS nurse who was dismissed after spreading misinformation, particularly anti-medicine and anti-vaccine based, about COVID-19.
She has also publicly shared her opposition to chemotherapy, a treatment she describes as 'dangerous and toxic', though she has now denied this.
The BBC has now reported that following Paloma's collapse as a result of cardiac arrest at her mother's home on 19 July, Kate had got involved.
Paramedic Robin Bass revealed at an inquest into Paloma's death this week that the mum 'presented a challenge as she kept interrupting while the crews were carrying out care'.
Speaking to the coroner, he said that Kate mentioned a mass on her daughter's chest, though when she was told it might be cancer, she denied it, suggesting Paloma was choking on food.
Paloma's twin brother Gabriel, who has blamed his sister's death on his mother's conspiracy theory-driven beliefs, asked if Kate had made the paramedics' job more difficult that night.
Bass recalled the events in response, explaining: "I believe we had to be quite firm at some points… had to ask for quiet while administering care to your sister."
Dr Peter Anderson, who saw the Brit when she was brought into hospital, told the inquest previously that there was a large mass in her chest and back, compressing her airways and negatively impacting major blood vessels.
A safeguarding report was requested as a result of concerns when it came to the Miss Universe finalist's refusal to undergo cancer treatment and her mother's role in it all.
The coroner also heard that Paloma's mother only called 999 after calling a friend first.
In court, a number of statements from Paloma were read out, as evidence pointed towards the young adult insisting on an alternative treatment plan.
"I am far from being a vulnerable young adult. Apart from becoming independent after I moved to Cambridge for university, I have practised the same principles that I grew up with," one statement read.
She even rejected the diagnosis and called it an 'absurd fantasy with no proof'.
Paloma also claimed that her human rights had been violated by NHS practitioners, with her mother being her first port of call when it came to illness.
"If I became ill, I’ve always turned to my mum first for advice as she is a trained nurse and qualified nutritionist," she wrote.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Joshua Nair