Greek heiress's death prompts potential legal action against London hospitals, family says

A Greek shipping dynasty is pursuing legal action against London hospitals after the death of Marissa Laimou, a 30-year-old actress, who investigators say died following a bite from an insect or animal. Her family says doctors discharged her from hospital despite serious concerns about her health, and they allege negligence contributed to her death. The coroner’s court is handling the sudden death, and post-mortem results have not yet been released.

Ms. Laimou, also known as Lemos, was found dead in her Knightsbridge bed on September 11. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, the theatre performer came from one of Greece’s most prominent shipping families. Her relatives say she had recently overcome breast cancer and a life-threatening autoimmune condition, but had been feeling unwell in the days leading up to her death. The family says she had voiced major health concerns at two well-regarded London hospitals, including one she was rushed to by ambulance, but was discharged after tests.

According to the family, Ms. Laimou began feeling unwell on September 9 after returning from a family holiday in Greece. She developed dizziness, itching and a high fever, and her condition rapidly worsened during the night. Her family says she called an ambulance, and a hospital doctor recorded a high fever of 39 C. She then chose to stay at home, saying she would seek further care if symptoms did not improve the next day.

On September 10 she went to Leaders in Oncology Care (LOC) on Harley Street, where she previously received chemotherapy. Medical staff conducted blood tests and administered an antibiotics drip and antihistamines. Because of the seriousness of her illness, LOC arranged an ambulance transfer to University College London Hospital (UCLH).

Nurses at UCLH carried out further tests and provided intravenous fluids, but the family says doctors ultimately discharged her at around 6:30 p.m. with antibiotics to take home. Marissa reportedly told a friend via text that she felt unwell, was itching, and felt dizzy but was not being checked on by medical staff. She did not wake up the following morning.

Her family maintains that no doctor examined her in the hospital and that the nurses conducted the tests before passing the case to a physician who authorized discharge. A family spokesperson said the diagnosis later cited by doctors described a “toxic effect of venom” from an insect or animal bite, but the family questions whether appropriate monitoring was provided before release.

The Lemos family, prominent in the Greek shipping sector, lives in a Knightsbridge townhouse. Marissa’s father, Diamantis, and her mother, Bessy, have described their daughter as deeply passionate about theatre, with an acting career that included directing and producing Romeo and Juliet in London and work on other productions.

In a tribute circulated by relatives, Marissa was described as a bright and generous person who loved London and pursued her dream of a career in the arts. She studied musical theatre in New York and later returned to London, where she balanced multiple roles in education and performance before her sudden illness.

The Inner West London Coroner’s Court confirmed that it is handling the case as a sudden death and that investigations are ongoing. The Mail has reached out to LOC and UCLH for comment, but no statement had been provided at the time of publication. The family said they intend to pursue legal action against the hospitals involved, asserting that the medical care provided may have fallen short of standards required to keep a patient with her medical history safe.

Marissa Laimou’s relatives emphasized the shock and grief surrounding her death, noting their belief that she was “the most amazing girl with an amazing heart.” They described her as a devoted daughter and sister, with a deep connection to her family and her craft, and they urged transparency as investigations proceed.