Helena Viljoen

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Independent investigation into
the death of Ms Helena Viljoen,
a prisoner at HMP Bronzefield,
on 17 May 2024
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Third Floor, 10 South Colonnade Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk
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© Crown copyright, 2025
This report is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0. To view this licence,
visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3
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1. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman aims to make a significant contribution to
safer, fairer custody and community supervision. One of the most important ways in
which we work towards that aim is by carrying out independent investigations into
deaths, due to any cause, of prisoners, young people in detention, residents of
approved premises and detainees in immigration centres.
2. If my office is to best assist His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in
ensuring the standard of care received by those within service remit is appropriate,
our recommendations should be focused, evidenced and viable. This is especially
the case if there is evidence of systemic failure.
3. In February 2012, Ms Helena Viljoen was sentenced in Japan to 18 years
imprisonment for a drug related offence. Ms Viljoen was repatriated to the United
Kingdom in November 2021 and taken to HMP Bronzefield. She died of pneumonia
(infection to the lungs) which was caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD – a group of lung conditions which cause breathing difficulties) on 17 May
2024 in hospital. She was 66 years old. We offer our condolences to Ms Viljoen’s
family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office contacted Ms Viljoen’s next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. They
had no questions but asked for a copy of our report.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Ms Viljoen’s
clinical care at Bronzefield.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Ms Viljoen received at
Bronzefield was equivalent to that which she could have expected to receive in the
community. He found that Ms Viljoen’s medical records contained evidence of good,
individualised end of life care planning. The clinical reviewer made
recommendations not related to Ms Viljoen’s death that the Head of Healthcare will
wish to address.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Ms Viljoen’s
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no
recommendations.
8. Ms Viljoen’s family received a copy of the draft report. They did not make any
comments.
9. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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Good practice
10. The family liaison support provided to Ms Viljoen’s next of kin was excellent. Staff
showed outstanding professionalism and compassion in accommodating Ms
Viljoen’s family in difficult circumstances. Their considerable efforts should be
commended.
Adrian Usher November 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Inquest
The inquest hearing was held on 3 January 2025. The Coroner concluded that Ms Viljoen
died of natural causes.
2 Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
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Third Floor, 10 South Colonnade Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk
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