NO CRIMINAL charges will be brought following the death of Banstead widow Gloria Foster, who died after she was left abandoned in her home for nine days.
Now, as attention turns to the authority charged with looking after her for an explanation, the county councillor responsible for adult social care and health remains tight-lipped.
Ms Foster, 81, died in Epsom hospital on February 4 from pulmonary thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis. It came after she was neglected for more than a week when the agency looking after her was closed down following a raid by the UK Border Agency.
Following the raid on Sutton-based Carefirst24, their clients were placed in the care of the appropriate local authority but Ms Foster was missed by Surrey County Council and her care was never followed up.
The former tennis player and golfer was only discovered during a chance visit by a district nurse. She was rushed to hospital suffering from severe dehydration, kidney failure and bed sores – but died days later.
Joint investigations were launched by Surrey Police and the Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board, to try to unravel the circumstances leading up to her death, and to investigate possible criminal offences.
But after three months, during when no information was provided by either authority, Surrey Police last week confirmed their inquiry had ended, with no criminal charges.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Mark Preston, said: "Over the past three months we have carried out an extensive investigation into the circumstances leading up to Ms Foster's tragic death.
"We have received advice from the Crown Prosecution Service and we have determined that no criminal charges can be brought in this case.
"The friends and family of Ms Foster have been updated as to the results of our investigation and we will now share our findings with Surrey County Council to ensure that the circumstances of Ms Foster's death are never replicated."
The Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board investigation remains underway.
At the time of Ms Foster's death, Surrey County Council denied responsibility for mistakes made following the raid – during which six people were arrested – and for errors that led to Ms Foster being missed off the authority's list.
Surrey's cabinet member for adult social care and health, Michael Gosling, spoke to the Mirror but said he was unable to discuss the matter.
The Banstead councillor, who was first elected in 2005 and became the cabinet member for adult social care in 2009, said at the time: "I have no comment to make because there is a possibility I might be interviewed by the police."
After receiving confirmation from the police that they had closed their investigation, the Mirror tried to speak to cllr Gosling again, but so far he has failed to return our calls.
Surrey County Council would only confirm an investigation is ongoing but could not say when it would conclude.
