A WOMAN of 40 lay dead in her flat for almost THREE YEARS without anyone missing her.
Joyce Vincent’s skeleton was surrounded by unopened Christmas presents, an inquest heard.
The TV and heating were on, washing-up lay in a kitchen bowl and a mountain of post was stacked behind the front door.
Police believe Joyce probably died of natural causes in 2003.
But her body, which was lying on a sofa, was only discovered by bailiffs in January this year.
It was so badly decomposed that the only way she could be identified was by comparing dental records with a holiday photo of her smiling.
Food in the flat was marked with 2003 expiry dates.
Joyce’s family, including her sisters, told the inquest that the flat was a women’s refuge where she had lived after becoming a victim of domestic violence.
They said she had been engaged but it was not known if she had married.
The family admitted they had lost touch after she moved to the self-contained bedsit — one of 100 above a shopping centre in Wood Green, North London. Det Insp Michael Ainslie, of the Met Police, told the family in court: “It’s very sad no one raised the alarm.”
A policeman called to the scene said he noticed a “strong smell” like a body coming from inside the flat.
After the inquest, neighbours also admitted noticing a “foul, rotten smell”. But nobody reported it.
Police told the hearing in Hornsey, North London, there were no suspicious circumstances.
Pathologist Dr Simon Poole said he was unable to establish a cause of death given the “largely skeletal” remains.
Deputy Coroner Andrew Walker recorded an open verdict.
He said: “I offer my deepest sympathies to members of the family.”
The flat was managed by the Metropolitan Housing Trust.
A spokeswoman said bailiffs were called when Joyce, originally from Hammersmith, West London, fell badly behind with her rent.
They had not noticed earlier because the rent was partly covered by housing benefit.
The spokeswoman said the trust was “not contacted by neighbours or family to raise any concerns”.
The building’s caretaker Kevin Mann was present when Joyce’s body was found. He said: “She looked like she’d just come back from shopping.
“I live below and never noticed the smell. People keep themselves to themselves in this block.”
Next-door neighbour Mickel Dobbs, who moved in two years ago, admitted he noticed a “foul” smell.
He added: “Every time I opened my window I would see strange little black insects crawling through.”
Neighbour Celia Cassidy said: “I am totally shocked. Nobody knew anything at all.”
Another neighbour, Ngosi Tobin, said: “It’s terrible. In other countries people know their neighbours but not here. It is easy to see how it would happen. Poor woman.”![]()


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