ABDULLAH MOHAMED ALI · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 22 July 2025 an investigation was commenced into the death of Abdullah Mohamed Ali aged 6 months. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 1 December 2025. I made a determination at inquest natural causes.

Abdullah Mohamed Ali was 6 months old when he died. He lived in a one bedroomed flat with his mother and 4 siblings, aged 2, 3, 4 and 5. The property was a one-bed privately rented flat. Baby Ali and his mother shared the bedroom, and his 4 siblings shared a double mattress on the floor in the living room. The flat had extensive mould and damp, along with a history of other disrepair matters, including a problem with the windows and a mouse infestation, dating back to at least August 2021.

In June 2025 the children were diagnosed as having chicken pox. Whilst Baby Ali’s rash had resolved by 15 July, he has seemed in discomfort with suspected tummy pain in the 24 hours before his death. At around 6.30am on 20 July 2025, after he was fed by his mother, Baby Ali was laid down to sleep on a mat on the living room floor. At around 9.15am his father found him unresponsive. London Ambulance Service were called and Baby Ali was transported to the Homerton Hospital in east London. Despite advance resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead at 11:19am.

There were no concerning findings at post-mortem although Baby Ali was small for his age. The cause of death was encephalitis due to Varicella Zoster Virus (chicken pox).

I have seen photographs and police body worn video footage of the mould in the property in which the Ali family live. The mould in the property is extensive, thick and black. On the walls it is around knee height, it extends up the walls in the corners and around the ceiling where the ceiling and walls meet. It covers the curtains and furniture where soft furnishings and furniture is in contact with the walls.

I am concerned that mould in the property and mould and/or other disrepair in other properties renovated and managed by Grandwell Estates may pose a risk that future deaths could occur.