Polish police in Swietochłowice discovered a severely neglected 42‑year‑old woman after 27 years locked in a room, prompting the emergency services to say they were shivering.
Police Respond to Neighbour Report
In late July 2025, officers were dispatched to a central Swietochłowice apartment after neighbors called out about loud disturbances. The couple K. initially refused to open the door, claiming no intervention was needed. Authorities forced entry into the residence, where they discovered the distressing scene.
Mirella: 42‑Year‑Old in Severely Neglected Condition
In a state of extreme neglect, Mirella, the couple’s daughter, was found in a single room with badly rotting legs and a life‑threatening condition. Ambulance crews reported that they felt shuddering as she was transported to the hospital. Her physical deterioration and emotional trauma were evident after 27 years of isolation.
27 Years of Seclusion and Misconstrued Disappearance
According to the local press, Mirella had last been seen 27 years earlier and spent the entire time in complete isolation, with no access to a toilet, clothing, or identity documents. She was never recorded in missing‑persons databases. A neighbor recalled her as a teenager playing outside the block before she vanished under unexplained circumstances.
Medical Rescue and Hospital Transfer
The Katowice regional emergency services team was called by police patrols. They found Mirella in a dire state and decided to transport her to a hospital, where doctors fought for her health for two months. While mounting the stairs with the rescue team, Mirella expressed astonishment at the corridor’s condition and confirmed she had not left her home for over 20 years.
Legal and Investigative Follow‑up
The prosecutor has taken up the matter, and a group of volunteers is helping the woman, who has a hard time reconnecting with the outside world. Police and prosecutors continue to investigate the circumstances of her long‑lasting confinement.
