A mother who was dedicated to her disabled eight-year-old daughter was found deceased in their home, a coroner’s court revealed. Martina Karos, 42, and her daughter Eleni Edwards, who had severe disabilities, were discovered by the police in Salford after Eleni did not attend school on September 23, 2024.
During the inquest, it was disclosed that Ms. Karos had been struggling with depression and feelings of isolation leading up to the tragic event. The police confirmed that no other individuals were being sought in connection with the incident.
Ms. Karos, originally from Lublin, Poland, had moved to Italy as a child before settling in England in 2003. Despite facing challenges, she was overjoyed when she unexpectedly became pregnant with Eleni after being told she couldn’t have children.
Following Eleni’s birth in June 2016, it became evident that she had severe disabilities, including visual and verbal communication limitations and restricted mobility. Despite these challenges, Eleni’s grandmother described her as a joyful child.
Ms. Karos had expressed feelings of being trapped in her own home and loneliness to her loved ones. She found it difficult to balance caring for her daughter with her own well-being, leading to social isolation despite support from local services.
Concerns about Ms. Karos’s mental health were raised by her friend, Kirree Marsland, who described her as positive and sociable but noted a decline in her emotional well-being. Ms. Marsland’s alerts to social services were met with a child protection plan, but Ms. Karos felt unsupported and isolated.
Although respite care was offered to provide Ms. Karos with breaks, the timing did not always align with her friend’s availability, making it challenging for her to socialize. The inquest is set to resume on Tuesday.