Evie Muir

I am STEPHEN SIMBLET KC assistant coroner, for the coroner area of Essex.

On 21/03/2025,   I commenced an investigation into the death of Evie Gladys Muir, who died  aged 17. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 26/11/2025. The conclusion  of the inquest was death by natural causes. The medical cause of her death was coronary artery vasculitis.

The deceased died aged 17 of a heart attack suffered less than 2 weeks after her admission to  hospital where she had a week- long stay for treatment for cardiac problems. She suffered with a rheumatological condition axial spondylarthritis for which she was receiving adalimumab  medication. She was known to be HLA B27 positive. The deceased was discharged from  hospital on 6 th February having been provided with various medications. On 19 th February, she collapsed with a cardiac arrest from which she could not successfully recover.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the  circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. (1)  That hospital reviews into unusual cardiac deaths such as this one are not more widely shared with other clinicians involved with a patient’s care, and other  disciplines, such as, in this case, rheumatology specialists. This means that the full clinical picture of how a patient died may not be sufficiently widely understood. (2)  patients with cardiac problems known to be HLA B27 positive or  otherwise known to present rheumatological conditions being adequately assessed for the risks which those rheumatological problems might present, include vasculitis.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you [AND/OR your organisation] have the power to take such action.