Brentford Woman Seeks Truth About Her Mother's Death
Tracy Spiers wants support for cover legal costs
A family memorial for Dorothy Skotnik
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January 31, 2025
A woman from Brentford has launched a crowdfunder in attempt to get closure following the death of her mother.
Along with her brother Gary, she is seeking answers to concerns about the circumstances of the death of Dorothy (Dot) Skotnik aged 73 on 29 December 2022 and needs money to pay for legal representation.
The siblings had not been raised by their mother, who had given birth to them both when she was very young, but they reconnected with her 37 years ago, when Tracy had her own children. Tracy described her as her best friend and says that they would talk on the phone nearly every day.
They had chatted the day before she died and Dorothy appeared to be in good spirits, looking forward to the new year. Tracy was opening presents with her grandchildren when Gary phoned with the shocking news.
The cause of death was given as ‘presumed heart attack’ but no autopsy was held and the body was cremated against the wishes of Tracy and Gary.
They have questions about their stepfather’s version of events on the night of their mother’s death including why no 999 call was made despite him saying he tried to administer CPR for 20 minutes.
Since then, there have been a number of issues with the estate and the family is in dispute about documents belonging to Dorothy which Tracy says was handed over to her stepfather.
Tracy has been told that to take matters in dispute it could cost at least £10,000.
She says, “We spoke nearly every day & I could tell her anything & everything. Mum felt bad about not raising both Gary & I & she often would tell us both that she had made provision for us both throughout the years , our children & grandchildren, her grandchildren & great grandchildren would be taken care of financially.
"Our stepfather has broken us, he has thrown us all under the bus so to speak, we are at our wits end & are asking those who may or may not have known our mum to please help us. I will give regular updates on this as it progresses please help us get justice for our mum & closure for myself, my brother, the children & our grandchildren.”
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