Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Abdullah Ali

Ref: 2025-0604 Date: 1 Dec 2025 Coroner: Melanie Lee Area: Inner North London Responses identified: 1 / 1

Extensive and thick black mould in the property managed by Granddwell Estates poses a significant risk of future deaths.

Date 1 Dec 2025

56-day deadline 26 Jan 2026 est.

Responses identified 1 of 1

Child Death (from 2015)

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

Extensive and thick black mould in the property managed by Granddwell Estates poses a significant risk of future deaths.

View full coroner's concerns

I have seen photographs and police body worn video footage of the mould in the property in which the Ali family live. The mould in the property is extensive, thick and black. On the walls it is around knee height, it extends up the walls in the corners and around the ceiling where the ceiling and walls meet. It covers the curtains and furniture where soft furnishings and furniture is in contact with the walls.

I am concerned that mould in the property and mould and/or other disrepair in other properties renovated and managed by Granddwell Estates may pose a risk that future deaths could occur.

Responses

1 respondent

Granddwell Estate Other

PDF

Action Taken

The property was inspected by the London Borough of Hackney, an Improvement Notice was served, required remedial works were undertaken, and temporary accommodation was offered. The Council has since reinspected the property, with only formal confirmation outstanding. (AI summary)

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Dear Sir / Madam, Thank you for your correspondence. We confirm that we have reviewed the Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report concerning the late Abdullah Mohamed Ali. We note the Coroner’s conclusion that the cause of death was encephalitis due to Varicella Zoster Virus (chickenpox). We wish to express our sincere condolences to the family. In response to the matters raised, we confirm that:
- The property was inspected by the London Borough of Hackney.
- An Improvement Notice was served and the required remedial works were undertaken.
- Temporary accommodation was offered to the occupants to allow the works to be completed safely.
- The Council has since reinspected the property, with only formal confirmation outstanding at the time of writing. We remain willing to cooperate fully with the Coroner and the local authority should any further information be required.

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 22 July 2025 an investigation was commenced into the death of Abdullah Mohamed Ali aged 6 months. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 1 December 205. I made a determination at inquest natural causes.

Circumstances of the death

Abdullah Mohamed Ali was 6 months old when he died. He lived in a one bedroomed flat with his mother and 4 siblings, aged 2, 3, 4 and 5. The property was a one-bed privately rented flat. Baby Ali and his mother shared the bedroom, and his 4 siblings shared a double mattress on the floor in the living room. The flat had extensive mould and damp, along with a history of other disrepair matters, including a problem with the windows and a mouse infestation, dating back to at least August 2021.

In June 2025 the children were diagnosed as having chicken pox. Whilst Baby Ali’s rash had resolved by 15 July, he has seemed in discomfort with suspected tummy pain in the 24 hours before his death. At around 6.30am on 20 July 2025, after he was fed by his mother, Baby Ali was laid down to sleep on a mat on the living room floor. At around 9.15am his father found him unresponsive. London Ambulance Service were called and Babi Ali was transported to the Homerton Hospital in asystole. Despite advance resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead at 11:19am.

There were no concerning findings at post-mortem although Baby Ali was small for his age. The cause of death was encephalitis due to Varicella Zoster Virus (chicken pox).

Copies sent to

London Borough of Hackney Benefits and Homeless Prevention ServiceLondon Borough of Hackney Environmental Health DepartmentLondon Borough of Hackney Trading Standards DepartmentChild Death Review Panel

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Report details

Reference: 2025-0604
Date of report: 1 December 2025
Coroner: Melanie Lee
Coroner area: Inner North London

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 1

All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 26 Jan 2026 (estimated).

Sent to

Granddwell Estates

Source links

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Data: judiciary.uk.

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