Inmate who died in hospital 'had TB', inquest hears
BBCA Bolivian man serving a sentence in a Nottinghamshire prison died in hospital after contracting tuberculosis (TB), an inquest has heard.
Alvaro Mendoza Sillerico had been at HMP Lowdham Grange since January 2021, and died on 18 November 2024 at Nottingham City Hospital.
When the 32-year-old was admitted to hospital he was nearly 30kg (4st 7lb) lighter than when he had originally been transferred to the Category B jail.
A jury at Nottingham Coroner's Court was told on Monday the prison had multiple cases of TB diagnosed in late 2021.
Addressing the jury, assistant coroner Adam Pearson said all Lowdham Grange prisoners were offered a screening for TB after "a number of cases" were discovered.
"Mr Sillerico, it seems, declined to be screened for TB at that stage," he said.
The court heard Sillerico - who was also known as Uziel Mendez - was seen by a nurse on 6 October 2024 at the request of a prison officer, and after his observations were taken, a further visit was recommended the following day.
On 7 October a nurse took further observations, leading to a code blue emergency being called, and paramedics arrived to take the prisoner to hospital, where he was diagnosed with TB.
The court heard Sillerico weighed 43.2kg (6st 11lb) on the day he was moved to hospital, down from 72.2kg (11st 5lb) from when he was transferred to Lowdham Grange.
Sillerico died in hospital on 18 November 2024, which the coroner said was caused by a sigmoid perforation - a rupture in the bowels.
The inquest continues.
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