Gabriel and Sebastian Shemirani watched with concern as their mother, Kate Shemirani, gained notoriety during the pandemic, ultimately being stripped of her nursing license for spreading misinformation about COVID-19. Their sister, Paloma, later developed cancer and, despite doctors indicating a high likelihood of survival with chemotherapy, opted not to pursue treatment. She tragically passed away at the young age of 23, a decision her brothers attribute to their mother's anti-medicine conspiracy theories, which are increasingly gaining traction.
Kate Shemirani has not directly addressed the brothers’ allegations but publicly holds the NHS responsible for Paloma's death, claiming to have evidence that “medical interventions” caused her daughter’s demise—claims the BBC has found no substantiation for. Feeling the unbearable weight of loss, Sebastian states, “My sister has passed away as a direct consequence of my mum’s actions”, expressing his desire to spare others from similar pain.
Through investigative efforts by BBC Panorama, it was uncovered that influential figures like Shemirani help spread potentially harmful conspiracy theories, framing a narrative that could bolster distrust in medical interventions. Oncologist Dr. Tom Roques expressed concerns about the mainstreaming of such views, indicating an escalation in the danger posed to those seeking medical help.
Growing up, the Shemirani siblings were engulfed in conspiracy theories propagated by their parents, particularly surrounding issues like vaccines and supposed government cover-ups. Following her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent alternative treatments, Paloma adopted these ideologies. Despite a brief estrangement from Kate, Paloma maintained contact and was influenced by her mother’s views even during her cancer battle.
After receiving a non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis, Paloma was advised about chemotherapy but instead decided to pursue alternative treatments, influenced significantly by her mother. Messages reveal that Kate instructed Paloma to avoid chemotherapy altogether, reflecting how deeply these beliefs infiltrated her daughter’s decision-making. All the while, concerns from medical staff about manipulative parental influence emerged, complicating the scenario further.
As Paloma opted for alternative Gerson therapy, friends noticed her deteriorating health. The therapy, popular among those rejecting conventional treatment, is unproven and comes with its own set of risks. In the following months, Paloma's health declined severely, leading to her eventual death from complications associated with her cancer.
An inquest into Paloma's death is scheduled, aiming to clarify the circumstances surrounding her tragic decision. Meanwhile, Kate Shemirani continues to propagate her controversial views online, further urging her followers to question medical advice. The Shemirani brothers, grappled with grief, emphasize urgent actions needed against medical misinformation to prevent further casualties resembling their sister’s heart-wrenching fate.
