Lincolnshire Police apologises after son finds out about mum's death in Stapleford Woods on Facebook

A son had to turn detective to find out his mother had died after police failed to notify him for three days.

The family of Gillian Simpson are seeking answers from the two police forces involved, saying they feel incredibly hurt and let down.

Gillian, 75, of Balderton, was found collapsed in Stapleford Woods on Tuesday, July 19, and pronounced dead at the scene.

"Why did it take three days and Facebook friends for me to find out? It's been disgusting," said her son, Kevin, of Elizabeth Road, Newark.

"Words cannot describe just how let down I feel by the police."

Gillian was a frequent visitor to Stapleford Woods on the Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire border, walking her dog Pearl there most days.
Not able to contact his mum, Kevin described a frantic search that has now become a quest for answers.

The grief and the hurt were further compounded by his inability to trace Pearl, who had been taken away by Lincolnshire Police, having stayed dutifully by her owner's side for hours.

Anguished Kevin said alarm bells were first raised by a call from one of his mum's friends whom she had been supposed to meet.

"I said I'd give her a ring and find out. I rang the house phone, no answer. I rang her mobile, no answer," he said.

He went to her house, assuming she was out with Pearl, then went to the woods, finding her car but no sign of them.

A jogger told him that the car had been there for days and that someone had been found collapsed in the woods.

He was then left to trawl Facebook, finding a post that a woman had been found, but had died.

Lincolnshire Police, whose case it is, asked Nottinghamshire to inform next of kin.

However, that didn't happen and, armed with the information he had gleaned for himself, Kevin rang Lincolnshire Police, who immediately sent an officer round to break the tragic news.

"She was found on the Tuesday, I was finally told on the Friday. Three days with no contact, and I had to find out off of social media. It's disgusting," he said.

Lincolnshire Police told Kevin that Pearl had been taken to a county kennels, which is usually for stray dogs, and has a policy whereby animals can be re-homed after seven days.

He went there on police advice to claim Pearl, but the kennel denied having her.

"I went to the chip website to find out if her implant had be scanned, but it hadn't. If they'd have just scanned the chip, they'd have found me as I'm the registered next of kin," he said.

There was a case on the busy A1(M) near Durham where two victims of a multiple fatality crash, burnt beyond recognition, on July, 15, 2021, were identified from the chip in their dog, who had also died.

Kevin also said Nottinghamshire Police had the ability to contact him as Gillian had fallen from her scooter two years ago in the Fernwood area and had hit her head on the kerb. She was taken to QMC. On that occasion, they reached him in two hours and he said his details should have remained on file.

Kevin said his mum had wanted a small funeral but since her death, he had learned of the dog breeder and show judge's popularity, and the love that people had for her, making that impossible.

In a statement from Lincolnshire Police, they said: “Officers were called to Stapleford Woods just after 3.30pm on July 19 following a call that a woman was unwell. Sadly, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the lady died.

“As the women lived in Nottinghamshire, colleagues in Nottinghamshire Police visited her home address and also tried to make enquiries with neighbours, unfortunately without success.

“We are really sorry to hear the woman’s son found out this way.

“We understand the devastating impact that this type of message can have at any time, which is why we make every effort to deliver that message directly from officers, and in person where we can.

“Sadly, that was not possible on this occasion and we do not underestimate the impact this is likely to have had.

“The woman’s dog, Pearl, was taken to the kennels to be looked after. The kennels hadn’t been updated the dog could be collected.

“Following a call from the kennels, officers visited and Pearl was given back to Mr Simpson.

“We’re sorry there was a miscommunication which has caused further distress.

“We have contacted Mr Simpson and will continue to assist where we can.”