Cliff Notes – Warwick Davis’ wife Samantha’s cause of death revealed in medical negligence inquest
- Samantha Davis, aged 53, died from cardiac arrest due to complications following essential surgery, as confirmed by an inquest at Inner West London Coroner’s Court.
- Warwick Davis has sued University College Hospital for alleged medical negligence, although the coroner noted that the care provided was excellent despite the tragic outcome.
Warwick Davis’ wife Samantha’s cause of death revealed in ‘medical negligence’ inquest
Samantha Davis died of cardiac arrest, according to the inquest (Picture: Shutterstock)
The wife of Harry Potter star Warwick Davis’ cause of death has finally been revealed.
Samantha Davis died aged 53 at University College Hospital in London on March 24 last year.
An inquest into her death is due took place at Inner West London Coroner’s Court on April 14, after Warwick sued the hospital for ‘medical negligence’.
The inquest has concluded that she died as a result of a cardiac arrest following complications from an essential surgery.
Following an inquest, Senior Coroner for Inner West London, Professor Fiona Wilcox, said: ‘I am satisfied that the medical cause of death should be arrhythmic cardiac arrest and complications following left thoracotomies.
‘In my view, the stress of everything together has precipitated this arrhythmic cardiac arrest in a lady who was not known to have any previous arrhythmia problems.’
The couple had three children together (Picture: Geoff Moore/Shutterstock)
She continued: ‘I have found nothing but excellent care being delivered to this lady and all of her complications were appropriately managed. It is frankly heartbreaking that the surgery itself was successful only for complications to arise and to cause her death.’
Samantha first fell ill with sepsis in 2019, which led to intensive care treatment and spinal operations.
In a statement issued ahead of the hearing through their legal team, Ms Davis’ family said it has been an ‘incredibly difficult time’ for them.
They added: ‘We know that the resilience and strength Sammy instilled in all of us will guide us through this difficult next chapter.
The pair got married in 1991 after meeting on the set of Willow (Picture: News Group/REX/Shutterstock)
‘Her love, support, and determination is a legacy we want to continue.
‘Sammy’s Helping Hands fund, which was set up in her honour, has already had a huge impact on young people in the dwarfism community, and will continue to support families all over the UK moving forwards.
‘The last year and trying to come to terms with Samantha’s death has been incredibly difficult.
‘However, we hope that the inquest will at last provide us with answers.
‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kindness and well wishes to us all.’
Warwick said of his wife: ‘Her love, support, and determination is a legacy we want to continue.’ (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)
The hearing comes after Warwick spoke about finding love again, when thanking an anonymous woman called ‘Sponge’ during his Bafta Fellowship award acceptance speech.
He later said the woman who helped him find love again reminds him of Daisy May Cooper’s comedy character Kerry Mucklowe from This Country.
While speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, Warwick referenced the name sometimes given to Harry Potter antagonist Lord Voldemort – He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named – to avoid identifying the mystery woman.
He said: ‘I can reveal, sticking with the Harry Potter theme, Sponge is indeed She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.
‘Sponge very much reminds me of Kerry. Some of the things she says and her accent.’
In his Bafta speech, Davis said: ‘I’d like to dedicate and thank my wonderful wife Sammy who died almost a year ago.
‘She was always so supportive of my career, encouraged me to grab every opportunity with both hands.
‘Since then life has been pretty tough for me but thanks to the support of our wonderful children, Annabelle and Harrison, I have been able to continue working and engaging in life.
‘Special mention too should go to Sponge, you know who you are. Thank you for showing me that life can still have meaning and for helping me to laugh and love again.’
News first broke in January of this year that Warwick had retained law firm Irwin Mitchell to represent his family in the case.
He also instructed specialist medical negligence solicitor Madeline Nugent, who worked with the family to get as much information as possible about the circumstances surrounding Samantha’s death.
The hearing that took place Janury 9 was arranged in order to determine if the treatment Samantha received at University College London Hospital for a spinal condition contributed to her eventual death, which was understood to be caused by sepsis.
Her death was confirmed in a statement by her husband last year, who revealed she had died on March 24.
He wrote: ‘Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs,’ the 54-year-old said, the BBC reported.
The actor described his wife, ‘Sammy’, as his ‘most trusted confidant and an ardent supporter of everything I did in my career’.
‘She was a unique character, always seeing the sunny side of life she had a wicked sense of humour and always laughed at my bad jokes.’
‘Mum is our best friend and we’re honoured to have received a love like hers,’ Davis’ children, Harrison and Annabelle, added.
The couple married in 1991 and had three children: Lloyd, Harrison, and Annabelle. Lloyd died just nine days after he was born.
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