Family still waiting for answers more than 1,000 days after Nichola Merrick death

More than three years after the tragic death of Nichola “Nicky” Merrick, her family and long‑term partner, Mo Gibson, say they are still trapped in an agonising wait for answers about the Isle of Wight Coroner Service. Their renewed plea for action comes after more than 1,000 days of delays, distress, and what they describe as a complete failure of communication.

We first reported on the family’s ordeal in July last year, more than 800 days after Nicky, who lived in Sandown, took her own life on Culver Down in April 2023. Mo revealed then that the coroner, Caroline Sumeray, had still not passed them the letters Nicky left addressed to them. Only the compassion of a police officer – who photographed the notes on his personal phone – had allowed them to read her final words.

Mo also described how Nicky’s car remained in the sea for months, with members of the public swimming out and removing items. He walked the beach daily in the early weeks, collecting her belongings to prevent them falling into the wrong hands. Police later told him that Ms Sumeray could have ordered the car’s removal immediately – but did not. He said the inquest process had left him unable to work because she ordered him not to travel, and isolated from Nicky’s family because he was instructed not to speak to them. “Nobody deserves this,” he told us then.

This week, Mo and Nicky’s family have written again to senior Isle of Wight Council officials, saying they are still waiting for the most basic information and for commitments made last year – including a promised meeting and written explanation – to be honoured. “We are still waiting for the simplest of answers,” they write, adding that the lack of engagement has “greatly upset” them.

Their letter also questions whether the rising legal costs highlighted by the IW Observer last week are related to their case. An IW Observer Freedom of Information request revealed that £24,322 was spent on defending the coroner against complaints in 2024/25 and £34,936 in 2025/26. Although the council is required by law to cover the costs of dealing with complaints about the coroner’s service or conduct, it has now been confirmed to Mr Gibson that the council “does not hold information” about how the money paid out was used, and is unable to deal with questions about Ms Sumeray’s service or conduct because she is a judicial office holder. His complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman was rejected for the same reason.

Ms Sumeray has still not responded to our request for clarity on whether she submitted paperwork for all claims or how many complaints she had claimed expenses for, despite previously stating she wanted “complete transparency concerning my service”. Our appeal against the IW Council’s refusal to reveal what information they do hold is now being dealt with.

Mo Gibson and Nicky’s family say their pain will not ease – and closure cannot come – until their questions are answered and genuine transparency is finally in place.