A 28-year-old Greek heiress, Marissa Laimou, a cancer survivor, was found dead in her London flat on September 11. Her family revealed that she was displaying symptoms like dizziness, fever, infections and visited a hospital that turned her away and claimed that she was bitten by an insect. A doctor visited her home and prescribed paracetamol initially, but as her situation did not improve, she was sent to see an oncologist at a hospital. From there she was rushed to another unit but her family claimed that – after being seen by nurses instead of a doctor at the second hospital – she was sent home. Laimou was discharged and handed antibiotics and a diagnosis that referred to an insect bite. But the next day, she was dead.“She was bitten by an insect, she was itchy, she went to the doctor, she took antibiotics, she ate, she slept and she never woke up. My daughter was saved from cancer. My little child,” her mother said, as quoted by the Independent. “She was a girl with so many gifts. All of England is crying, all her doctors too,” she added.The hospital from which Laimou was sent home has reportedly opened an internal investigation over the incident. Meanwhile, a post-mortem is due to be carried out in the coming days.“The entire family is shocked by the sudden death of the daughter of Diamantis and Bessie Laimou. She was a very kind girl, quiet, educated, cultured, modest and simple. She loved art and theatre, she was involved in theatre. Warm condolences to the family! Strength and courage!” Marissa’s great-aunt Chrysanthi said.
Who was Marissa Laimou?
Daughter of Diamantis and Bessue Laimou, Marissa was part of a wealthy Greek shipping family. She recently survived breast cancer and was working in fashion, business and theatre. She worked in Paris with fashion designers including Sonia Rykiel and John Galliano. Later, she founded Rainbow Wave, a company through which she introduced international brands to UK/London retailers. She was involved in theatre production in London; one recent production was Romeo and Juliet, and she was preparing more theatrical work before her death.
