A coroner has concluded that a single mother struggling with profound feelings of loneliness and isolation killed her severely disabled young daughter before taking her own life.
A tragic discovery in Salford
The bodies of Martina Karos, 40, and her eight-year-old daughter Eleni Edwards were discovered at their home on South Radford Street in Kersal, Salford, on Monday, 23 September 2024. Emergency services were called after Eleni failed to attend school.
Paramedics pronounced both mother and daughter dead at the scene. A subsequent post-mortem examination found the cause of death for both was carbon monoxide toxicity.
The coroner's conclusion
Following a three-day inquest at Bolton Coroners' Court, Area Coroner Peter Sigee delivered his conclusions this week. He ruled that Ms Karos died by suicide and that Eleni was unlawfully killed.
In his narrative conclusion, Mr Sigee stated: "Ms Karos had deliberately placed herself and her daughter in an environment where they were overcome by the toxic effects of carbon monoxide with the intention and effect of ending both their lives."
The court heard that Eleni had been diagnosed with multiple conditions as an infant, leaving her blind, non-verbal and with severely restricted mobility. Ms Karos was her daughter's devoted, full-time carer.
Overwhelmed by isolation despite support
Evidence presented to the inquest revealed that Ms Karos's mental health had suffered a rapid decline at the end of 2023, when she began expressing suicidal thoughts. She had received treatment for anxiety and depression for several years.
Due to concerns about the potential impact of her mother's low mood, Eleni was placed under a child protection plan in January 2024. However, the coroner noted that none of the professionals involved had immediate concerns about the pair around the time of their deaths.
Coroner Sigee emphasised the level of support provided, stating: "Despite a high level of good quality, focused support and care from family, her limited group of friends and professionals... Ms Karos experienced feelings of extreme loneliness and isolation which overwhelmed her."
He added that Ms Karos had been worried about the care her daughter would receive after her death and had continuously denied any thoughts of harming herself or Eleni prior to the tragedy. The coroner found no failure in the care provided and said the incident could not reasonably have been foreseen.
A family's heartbreaking plea
A statement from Ms Karos's mother, Malgorzata Karos, was read in court. It described Martina as a "good person" who was "very talented and intelligent" and who "loved her child more than life itself."
The statement continued: "Eleni was the love of her life. She didn’t want to leave her to anyone, not knowing what her future was... We want their deaths to change the way disabled children, but also their parents, are perceived. A child is better off with happy parents."
The family expressed a hope that the tragedy might help save others from making a drastic decision in future.
If you are struggling, the Samaritans offer free, confidential support 24/7 on 116 123 or via jo@samaritans.org.
