Michael Fabian

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Michael Fabian,
a prisoner at HMP Winchester,
on 14 September 2025
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, 2026
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. On 16 November 2024, Mr Michael Fabian was remanded to HMP Winchester for
breach of a restraining order.
4. Mr Fabian died at Winchester of acute on chronic cardiac failure (long term heart
failure), on 14 September 2025. He was 81 years old. We offer our condolences to
Mr Fabian’s family and friends.
5. No next of kin were identified following Mr Fabian’s death.
6. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Fabian’s
clinical care at Winchester. The clinical reviewer’s report is attached as Annex 1.
7. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Fabian received at
Winchester was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have
expected to receive in the community. She found that the healthcare team provided
coordinated and compassionate care, supporting Mr Fabian’s physical comfort and
overall wellbeing throughout the progression of his illness.
8. The clinical reviewer made one recommendation not related to Mr Fabian’s death
that the Head of Healthcare will wish to address.
9. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Fabian’s
care.
10. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no recommendations.
11. We shared the initial report with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). They
pointed out some factual inaccuracies with the clinical review. The investigator
passed these onto the clinical reviewer who amended their report.
12. At the inquest held on 3 June 2026, the Coroner concluded that Mr Fabian died
from natural causes.
Adrian Usher March 2026
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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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
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE