The small house in Kersal, Salford, held a silence that spoke of unimaginable sorrow. Inside, Martina Karos, 40, and her daughter, eight-year-old Eleni Edwards, were found, their lives extinguished by a silent, invisible enemy.
Eleni’s life began with challenges. Diagnosed with multiple severe disabilities in infancy, she was blind, unable to speak, and had limited movement. Martina devoted herself entirely to Eleni’s care, a constant presence in a world that often felt isolating for both of them.
Throughout 2023, a darkness descended upon Martina. Loved ones noticed a rapid decline in her mental health, a growing despair that manifested in suicidal thoughts. She had battled anxiety and depression for years, but this felt different, a crushing weight threatening to overwhelm her.
As Martina’s struggles intensified, Eleni was placed under a child protection plan in January 2024. The concern wasn’t for abuse, but for the “emotional harm” Eleni might experience from her mother’s deepening sadness. Professionals involved reported no immediate danger, a chilling detail in retrospect.
The coroner’s conclusion revealed a heartbreaking truth: Martina deliberately created an environment filled with carbon monoxide, a final, desperate act to end both her life and Eleni’s. She saw no future where her daughter could thrive without her unwavering care.
Eleni, despite her profound disabilities, was described as a happy and cherished child. Martina’s love for her daughter was absolute, a fierce devotion that shaped every aspect of her life. She provided exceptional care, navigating countless obstacles with unwavering dedication.
Yet, despite the support of family, friends, and a network of professionals – doctors, therapists, social workers – Martina felt profoundly alone. An overwhelming sense of isolation consumed her, a silent battle fought behind closed doors.
She believed that ending her own life would inevitably lead to uncertainty and potential hardship for Eleni. Driven by this fear, and a desperate desire to protect her daughter, she made the unthinkable decision to take Eleni with her.
The coroner emphasized that there was no way to have foreseen this tragedy. Martina consistently denied any harmful intentions, and there was no objective evidence to suggest she was contemplating such a devastating act. The incident was, in his words, “not reasonably foreseeable.”
Malgorzata Karos, Martina’s mother, released a statement through a friend, her voice filled with unspeakable grief. She remembered Martina as a bright, talented, and loving person, and emphasized the depth of her daughter’s love for Eleni.
“She loved her child more than life itself,” the statement read. “She didn’t want to leave her to anyone, not knowing what her future was.” The family hopes this tragedy will spark a change in how society perceives disabled children and the immense pressures faced by their parents.
Malgorzata’s plea resonated with a painful truth: a child thrives best with happy parents. She hopes their deaths will serve as a catalyst for change, preventing others from reaching such a desperate point. The wound in her heart, she acknowledged, will never fully heal.
