Kate Shemirani – Former nurse whose daughter died after refusing chemo

Kate Shemirani, a former registered nurse turned prominent conspiracy theorist and anti-vaccine activist, has become the subject of intense public scrutiny following the death of her 23-year-old daughter Paloma. A coroner determined that Shemirani’s actions had an adverse influence on her daughter’s decision to refuse chemotherapy for a treatable form of cancer. The case, which unfolded in the UK, has drawn widespread media coverage from outlets including the BBC, Nursing Standard, and Prospect Magazine, and has raised urgent questions about the real-world harm of health misinformation.

Shemirani, who lost her nursing license in 2020, has been active in spreading conspiracy theories online since the late 2010s. Her daughter’s death in July 2024, and the subsequent coroner’s verdict in October 2025, represent a turning point in the public conversation about the influence of conspiracy figures on medical decisions within families.

Who is Kate Shemirani?

Key insights about Kate Shemirani

• Kate Shemirani is a former nurse who became a high-profile conspiracy influencer on Twitter, known for anti-vaccine and COVID-19 misinformation.
• In 2020, the Nursing and Midwifery Council revoked her license for misconduct unrelated to her daughter’s case.
• Her daughter Paloma was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chose to pursue alternative treatments arranged by her mother rather than chemotherapy.
• A coroner concluded in October 2025 that Shemirani “adversely influenced” Paloma, though no criminal charges have been reported.
• The case has received wide media attention in 2025, with BBC, Nursing Standard, and Prospect Magazine all reporting extensively.
• Shemirani continues to promote conspiracy theories online, and her story illustrates the real-world harm of health misinformation.

Snapshot facts

What happened to Kate Shemirani’s daughter Paloma?

Paloma Shemirani was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in December 2023. Medical professionals advised that with chemotherapy, her chance of survival was approximately 80%. Initially, Paloma agreed to treatment. However, according to the coroner’s findings, doubts about consent emerged only after her mother Kate arrived at the hospital.

Paloma left hospital and instead pursued Gerson therapy, a regimen involving juices, supplements, and coffee enemas. The National Cancer Institute states that no studies support the effectiveness of Gerson therapy for cancer. While living with her mother, Paloma reportedly administered five coffee enemas daily. Her father and a family friend — her mother’s former fiancé, a physician who suggested enemas and a vegan diet — also played a role in influencing her decisions.

What did the coroner conclude about Paloma’s death?

Coroner Catherine Wood ruled that Kate Shemirani’s actions “significantly contributed” to Paloma’s death. The coroner described the pressure exerted by Shemirani as “incomprehensible” and “manipulative.” Wood explicitly stated that Paloma was “adversely influenced” by her mother and that the cancer was a treatable disease that went unaddressed.

Paloma was put on life support following a heart attack in July 2024 and died a few days later. The coroner concluded that the medical teams at Maidstone Hospital, Royal Sussex County Hospital, and paramedics acted appropriately. Kate Shemirani has attempted to blame medical staff, but the coroner found no fault with their care.

Why did Kate Shemirani lose her nursing license?

What misconduct was involved?

Kate Shemirani was a registered nurse whose license was revoked in 2020 by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The action was taken due to her anti-vaccination stance and her promotion of unproven alternative treatments. The decision to strip her of her professional standing occurred years before her daughter’s cancer diagnosis and was unrelated to that case.

What is the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s role?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the regulatory body for nurses and midwives in the UK. It has the authority to investigate and discipline practitioners who breach professional standards. In Shemirani’s case, the NMC determined that her public promotion of anti-vaccine content and alternative therapies constituted misconduct that made her unfit to practise. The revocation of her license means she cannot lawfully work as a nurse in the UK.

What conspiracy theories does Kate Shemirani promote?

What is her role in the anti-vaccine movement?

Kate Shemirani is a well-known figure in the UK anti-vaccine movement. She has propagated COVID-related conspiracy theories and frequently accuses medical professionals of wrongdoing. She has described chemotherapy as “mustard gas” and has used her platform to promote alternative therapies, including the Gerson therapy that her daughter pursued.

When Shemirani herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, she credited her recovery to juices and coffee enemas, though she also underwent surgery to remove the cancer. This personal narrative has been a central part of her public messaging.

How does she spread these theories?

Shemirani has been active on social media since the late 2010s, using platforms including Twitter to disseminate her views. Her content covers anti-vaccine rhetoric, COVID-19 misinformation, claims about 5G technology, and narratives about government overreach. A BBC Sounds podcast from 2020, titled “Help! My mum is a conspiracy influencer,” explored the impact of her online activity on her family, including her sons.

What is the timeline of key events in Kate Shemirani’s story?

1. 1965: Kate Shemirani born in the UK.
2. 1990s–2010s: Works as a registered nurse.
3. Late 2010s: Begins posting conspiracy content on social media.
4. 2020: Nursing license revoked by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
5. December 2023: Daughter Paloma diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
6. Early 2024: Paloma leaves hospital and pursues alternative treatments arranged by Shemirani.
7. July 2024: Paloma dies at age 23 after being placed on life support.
8. August 11, 2025: BBC publishes article: “Mum arranged daughter’s alternative cancer care.”
9. October 2, 2025: Coroner concludes Paloma was “adversely influenced” by her mother; Nursing Standard reports.
10. October 2025: Prospect Magazine publishes interview with Shemirani.

What is known and what remains unclear about the case?

Why does this case matter beyond the individuals involved?

This case sits at the intersection of conspiracy influencer culture, patient autonomy, and parental influence. Shemirani’s transition from nurse to anti-vaccine activist mirrors a broader trend of healthcare professionals using their credentials to lend credibility to misinformation. The coroner’s verdict of “adversely influenced” raises ethical questions about responsibility when a family member promotes alternative therapies. It does not equate to criminal liability but signals societal concern.

Shemirani’s story also highlights the power of social media influencers to shape health decisions, especially for young adults. The BBC Sounds podcast from 2020 had already questioned the impact of her influence on her family years before her daughter’s death. The media coverage in 2025 represents a culmination of long-standing issues: the rise of anti-vaccine sentiment during COVID-19 and subsequent real-world harm.

What have key sources reported about Kate Shemirani?

“A high-profile conspiracy theorist whose daughter died from cancer after refusing chemotherapy organised her care when she left hospital.”

— BBC News, August 2025

“A coroner has concluded that Paloma Shemirani, 23, died after refusing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma after she was ‘adversely influenced’.”

— Nursing Standard, October 2025

“You look so much like Paloma,” says conspiracy theorist and anti-vaxx campaigner Kate Shemirani, referring to her late daughter.

— Prospect Magazine, October 2025

Paloma’s brothers, Gabriel and Sebastian Shemirani, told the BBC’s Panorama program that their sister died as a direct consequence of their mother’s actions and beliefs. Sebastian said: “My sister has passed away as a direct consequence of my mum’s actions and beliefs. I hope no one else has to endure the same suffering or grief.”

What does the future hold for this case?

Several questions remain open. Some social media users and commentators have called for Kate Shemirani to be prosecuted for manslaughter, but as of October 2025, no criminal charges have been reported. The coroner’s full findings may be referred to authorities for further investigation. This case could influence debates on parental medical authority and the regulation of online health misinformation. Whether Shemirani continues to promote conspiracy theories publicly or faces reputational collapse remains to be seen. For more detail, read about Paloma Shemirani’s death and the coroner’s verdict and Kate Shemirani’s role in her daughter’s death.

Frequently asked questions about Kate Shemirani