Mother of teenager who died in Essex mental health unit gives evidence at Lampard Inquiry

Victoria Sebastian has told the public inquiry that staff let her autistic daughter die at the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester in April 2021.

• The Lampard Inquiry is examining over 2,000 deaths of people under Essex mental health services between 2000 and 2023.
• The inquiry heard a coroner concluded Elise Sebastian's death was contributed to by neglect.
• Staff relied on infrared cameras with poor wi‑fi connections and muted alarms, the inquiry was told.
• Baroness Lampard promised bereaved families would be at the heart of the inquiry, and EPUT chief executive Trevor Smith apologised, saying Elise “did not receive the care she deserved”.