BANSTEAD widow Gloria Foster died after she was abandoned by authorities for nine days without food, water or medication.
It came after the care provider tasked with looking after her – Sutton-based Carefirst24 – was closed down, following a UK Border Agency and Metropolitan Police raid on January 15.
Surrey County Council failed to realise they had become responsible for her care and the 81-year-old was discovered in her Banstead home, by chance, by a district nurse nine days later.
She was taken to Epsom Hospital suffering from severe dehydration, kidney failure and bed sores. She died on February 4.
Six months on, and with no explanation from the council or an apology from the parties involved, the Mirror is joining friends in demanding that Surrey County Council comes clean over Ms Foster's death.
In May, police investigating the case determined no criminal charges would be brought.
Friends of the pensioner have labelled the lack of answers provided by the authority since the tragedy as "disgraceful" and have accused them of a cover-up.
"I think it's terrible they've not made any report," said Vivien Saunders, an international golfer and friend of Ms Foster.
"It's shocking. Someone is to blame for this.
"For Surrey County Council there's no excuse at all."
Mrs Saunders said friends of the former secretary had not abandoned her, as had been suggested in the past.
She said Ms Foster – described as a "gregarious woman with lots of friends" – had become more of a recluse in the months before her death, following a stroke, and had repeatedly refused offers of help.
She continued: "If this was two private care homes and their patients, they'd be under pressure but, because this is like the civil service, they appear to be covering up for each other."
Yvonne Warren, who had been friends with Ms Foster for more than 40 years, said: "Obviously someone should have taken the blame for 'losing' Gloria and thus causing her death."
Another friend, Ann Penston, who used to visit Ms Foster, has just been interviewed by the chair of Surrey's Safeguarding Adults Board Serious Case Review, whose report is expected in the coming weeks.
She said: "I would like to see what they come up with."
Speaking to the Mirror this week, Reigate MP Crispin Blunt said: "There is an understandable level of public interest in the tragic case of Gloria Foster.
"The Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board is still investigating, and it is important that the inquiry is as comprehensive, and as detailed, as it needs to be.
"The board has undertaken to publish its findings, and I await the report with interest."
So far, the county council and councillor Michael Gosling – who was in charge of adult social care at the time – have denied they were responsible.
Council leader David Hodge has also been under intense scrutiny from opposition councillors, with former leader Dr Andrew Povey calling for him to resign more than once.
