Double death tragedy mother and daughter named

A mother and her disabled daughter who were found dead in their home after refusing help from social workers were named today by police.

Stephania Wolf, 67, and her 29-year-old daughter Sam, were discovered at the house they shared in Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, on Saturday.

It is understood the mother, who provided her daughter with round-the-clock care, died suddenly at the house about six weeks ago.

Sam Wolf, who was wheelchair-bound, was unable to care for herself and is believed to have starved to death.

A post-mortem examination revealed neither suffered any external injuries and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Video: Double death tragedy

The mother and daughter were discovered at about 2pm on Saturday by a man delivering leaflets.

According to sources, the bodies were badly decomposed.

Today, Hertfordshire County Council said Mrs Wolf refused help from social workers at the authority.

The council made modifications to the house in Marford Road, including ramps and rails, in April 1998 but the pensioner refused any further assistance.

In April 2006, her daughter, reportedly paralysed from the neck down, was offered a place at a day care centre but this was also turned down. That was the last time the council was in contact with the family.

Hertfordshire police said it expected to pass a file on to a coroner so an inquest could be carried out into the deaths. The council said it would be looking into its contact with the family.

Further tests are being carried out but these are expected to take several weeks.