Mother Who Convinced Daughter to Reject Cancer Treatment Interrupts Investigation

A Mother's Unrepentant Stance in the Death of Her Daughter from Cancer

An anti-vaxxer mother, who has been accused of influencing her daughter to reject conventional cancer treatments, appeared at an inquest into her daughter’s death and continued to defend her controversial beliefs. Paloma Shemirani, a 23-year-old Cambridge graduate and model, died last July after refusing treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a treatable form of blood cancer. Her mother, Kate Shemirani, is known for her extreme anti-medicine views, including discouraging the use of masks and vaccines during the pandemic.

During the inquest, which was held online, Mrs. Shemirani did not show any signs of remorse for her stance. She referred to her daughter’s cancer diagnosis as a “purported diagnosis” while engaging in discussions with the Coroner, Catherine Wood, about what evidence should be considered. The mother, dressed in a lilac dress with white flowers and her blonde hair pinned up, repeatedly interrupted the proceedings to voice her opinions.

Paloma had initially received a positive prognosis, with an 80% chance of survival. However, she died just seven months after her diagnosis, having refused medical assistance. Her two brothers and former boyfriend have claimed that Paloma was coerced by her mother into rejecting treatment, a claim that their mother denies.

At the inquest, haematology consultant Dr. Mohan provided details about Paloma’s medical journey. She was first admitted to the emergency room on October 4, 2023, with symptoms such as chest pain, fever, and a neck lump. Following further tests, she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with a large mass near her sternum.

Dr. Mohan outlined a standard treatment plan, which included six cycles of chemotherapy, steroids, and potential radiotherapy. The doctor also mentioned that fertility preservation was discussed with Paloma before starting treatment. Despite this, Paloma later changed her mind and explored unconventional treatment options.

The consultant expressed surprise when Paloma decided not to proceed with the treatment, stating that she had not made up her mind and might cancel the treatment. Dr. Mohan noted that Paloma did not disclose why she was concerned about the treatment, though she was aware of her mother’s concerns regarding the side effects of steroids and the PET scan.

It is understood that Paloma’s father, Faramarz, also holds conspiracy theories but was not present at the inquest. Paloma’s twin brother, Gabriel, and his older brother, Sebastian, have publicly stated that their sister’s death resulted from her refusal of conventional chemotherapy due to pressure from her mother. They claim that Kate sought to isolate Paloma from her family, boyfriend, and friends, even sending messages that suggested Paloma was being “abused” by her mother. These claims are denied by Kate.

Kate, who describes herself as a “natural nurse” on social media, promotes Gerson therapy, which involves a vegan diet, natural juices, coffee enemas, and supplements. Paloma followed this regimen when she suffered a cardiac arrest at her mother’s home and later died when life support was discontinued.

Gabriel and Sebastian are advocating for changes in the law to include conspiracy theories as a form of coercive control. They believe that despite being an adult, Paloma was not in a position to refuse treatment due to the influence of her parents. They also call for it to be illegal for unqualified individuals to refer to themselves as “doctors or nurses.”

The inquest continues, shedding light on the tragic consequences of rejecting medical treatment and the impact of parental influence on health decisions.