23YO ‘Anti-Vax’ Woman Passes Away After Refusing Chemotherapy As Brother Blames Mom

New details are emerging from the inquest into the passing of a 23 year old English woman last year.

Paloma Shemirani lost her battle with cancer in July of 2024, which some people say was a result of her refusing chemotherapy. 

In an inquest that began in mid July of 2025, investigators are looking into whether Paloma’s mother, Kate, influenced her into not using chemo treatment.

“I don’t want to undergo such a harsh treatment” Paloma’s statement is read during the inquest

Young woman with pink highlights smiling in a blue dress, related to anti-vax refusal of chemotherapy and family dispute.

Image credits: Kate Shemirani/Facebook

In July of 2024, Paloma Shemirani suffered a fatal heart attack caused by non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Her mother Kay, or Kate, Shemirani, who is a known conspiracy theorist, claims Paloma was mistreated by doctors.

The inquest happening at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent in the U.K. started earlier this month, and includes statements written by Paloma before she passed that are being read to the court. 

In one statement, Paloma compared her suggested chemo treatment at the National Health Service to “experiments carried out at Auschwitz,” referring to the Nazi concentration camp.

Young woman outdoors on a sunny path, highlighting 23yo anti-vax woman passing away after refusing chemotherapy.

Image credits: Kate Shemirani/Facebook

Other statements included Paloma’s assertion that she was “anti-vax,” and that her diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was an “absurd fantasy, with no proof.”

Paloma, who graduated from Cambridge, described the diagnosis as “suspected and unconfirmed,” saying that she preferred ”natural healing” and that she feared that if she were to survive chemotherapy it might make her infertile.

Young woman in a blue gown standing in garden, related to anti-vax refusal of chemotherapy news story.

Image credits: Dee Mani/Facebook

“I do not want to undergo such a harsh treatment that could even kill me when there is a possibility this is not cancer,” she said.

Paloma’s statement said that she is “far from being a vulnerable young adult,” and that she has practiced the same principles that she grew up with while at Cambridge in regards to being healthy and avoiding things like tap water.

Paloma’s mother was reprimanded during the inquest 

Woman with blonde hair and red lipstick wearing a black shirt, representing 23YO anti-vax woman refusing chemotherapy story.

Image credits: Kate Shemirani/Facebook

Paloma’s mother, meanwhile, joined the inquest via video call. Reports say at certain times she was crying, and at others holding up photos of her late daughter.

At one point, the lead coroner Catherine Wood, said Kate was being disruptive because she was insisting on points that were irrelevant, like that participants were mis-pronouncing her name.

Woman in white lace dress holding microphone and papers, speaking at an indoor event about anti-vax and chemotherapy refusal.

Image credits: Kate Shemirani/Facebook

“I am going to rise, for Ms Shemirani to reflect on her behaviour in court, this is unacceptable. Let’s have a pause for tempers to d*e down because you are clearly becoming over-fixated on a detail,” Wood told the court.

In 2021, Kate was let go from her role as an NHS nurse for spreading conspiracy theories. A statement read during the inquest said she was “struck off as a nurse in 2021 after a committee found she had spread COVID-19 misinformation and put the public at a significant risk of harm.” 

Growing up, Paloma and her brothers were taught outlandish conspiracy theories

Blonde woman wearing headphones speaking into a microphone in a podcast studio with orange chairs in the background.

Image credits: Kate Shemirani/Facebook

Paloma’s older brother Sebastian, and her twin brother Gabriel have reached out to the BBC to tell their story. In interviews they have said that they’re sharing their ordeal in order to prevent other people from going through something similar.

“My sister has passed away as a direct consequence of my mum’s actions and beliefs and I don’t want anyone else to go through the same pain or loss that I have,” Sebastian told the BBC.

Young man discussing anti-vax woman’s refusal of chemotherapy and family conflict in an indoor interview setting.

Image credits: This Morning

Young man and woman outdoors with trees in the background, related to anti-vax woman refusing chemotherapy story.

Image credits: This Morning

They described their childhood in the small Sussex town of Uckfield as riddled with false theories and conspiracies.

“The children absorbed outlandish ideas, including that the Royal Family were shape-shifting lizards,” the BBC article says. “As a young child, you trust your parents. So you see that as a truth,” Gabriel told the publication. 

Young woman in a vibrant red tiered dress posing outdoors in a garden setting, representing 23YO anti-vax woman story.

Image credits: Kate Shemirani/Facebook

Young woman smiling outdoors wearing a pearl necklace, related to story about 23YO anti-vax woman refusing chemotherapy.

Image credits: Kate Shemirani/Facebook

The brothers said that they think social media companies should take stronger action against medical misinformation.

“I wasn’t able to stop my sister from dying. But it would mean the world to me if I could make it that she wasn’t just another in a long line of people that d*e in this way,” Gabriel told the BBC.

Media reports say even prior to Paloma’s passing, they had initiated a case to look into the fact that she had refused chemo to treat her cancer, but she passed before it could begin. 

Netizens have mixed reactions to Paloma’s decision

Facebook post about refusing chemotherapy and the importance of treatment for cancer patients, highlighting anti-vax controversy.

Comment from Lara Maddern discussing anti-vax woman refusing chemotherapy and its fatal consequences.

Comment from Christine Kammerer discussing refusal of treatment and blame in a 23-year-old anti-vax woman’s death.

Comment screenshot showing a discussion about a 23-year-old anti-vax woman making health decisions and refusing treatment.

User comment discussing the tough choice of refusing chemotherapy and grieving parents after 23YO anti-vax woman passes away.

Comment from Lia Warburton discussing refusal of chemotherapy and questioning cancer belief in anti-vax woman case.

Comment from Laura Mcclements about a 23-year-old anti-vax woman refusing chemotherapy due to disbelief in her cancer diagnosis.

Social media post from Emily Colgate criticizing anti-vax choice after woman refuses chemotherapy and passes away.

Comment from Eve Talbot questioning the denial of chemotherapy and cancer by an anti-vax woman refusing treatment.

Comment from Anna Bailey discussing refusal of chemotherapy and denial of a cancer diagnosis related to an anti-vax woman.

Comment from Nikki Alexis discussing cancer treatment, chemotherapy refusal, and the impact on an anti-vax woman’s health.

Comment from Deana Rees Anderson discussing refusal of chemotherapy linked to anti-vax beliefs and cancer treatment choices.

Comment discussing misinformation impacting anti-vax decisions, related to 23YO woman refusing chemotherapy and passing away.

Facebook comment by Antonio Diaz sharing his experience surviving stage 3 non Hodgkin lymphoma after chemotherapy and radiation.

Comment by Jo Anne sharing views on organic food and science contributing to longer lifespans, related to anti-vax and chemotherapy topics.

Comment expressing grief over a 23-year-old anti-vax woman’s death after refusing chemotherapy.

Comment by Alexander Wright discussing a 23-year-old anti-vax woman refusing chemotherapy and passing away.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing a 23-year-old anti-vax woman refusing chemotherapy for cancer treatment.

Alt text: Comment discussing refusal of chemotherapy and blame surrounding 23YO anti-vax woman passing away.

Comment from Hannah Taylor about battling aggressive cancer, chemotherapy, remission, and valuing time with children.

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