Heiress, 28, is found dead in London flat ‘after being turned away from hospitals when she was bitten by an INSECT’

A Greek heiress has been found dead in her London flat after being turned away from two hospitals with an insect bite, her mother claimed. 

Marissa Laimou, who is also known as Lemos, was discovered lifeless in her bed by her housekeeper on September 11.  

Greek media reported the 28-year-old had developed dizziness, itching, a fever and other signs of infection three days earlier.  

She was prescribed paracetamol by a doctor who visited her home, but Ms Laimou’s condition did not improve. 

The heiress, who recently beat breast cancer, was said to have then visited her oncologist at a hospital in London. 

Her mother claimed they then sent her to another hospital in an ambulance.

Nurses, rather than doctors, were said to have examined the 28-year-old and decided she did not need to be admitted.

The heiress was then discharged in the early evening with antibiotics and a diagnosis that referred to an insect bite.

The following day, she was found dead.

Pictured: Marissa with her mother Bessy. The heiress had recently beaten breast cancer

Ms Laimou (pictured) had staged a production of Romeo and Juliet in London and was preparing another theatre project

Her mother, Bessy, told Greek media that toxic shock caused by an insect bite killed her, although it is currently unclear what type of insect bit her.

She said: ‘My daughter had survived cancer and died from an insect.’

Adding: ‘She was a girl with so many gifts, all of England is crying, all her doctors too.’

Relatives said the autopsy had not yet been carried out – her aunt said her family would not have answers until the post-mortem is complete.  

The hospital involved has reportedly admitted that a serious mistake was made and opened an internal investigation.

Ms Laimou had recently staged a production of Romeo and Juliet in London and was preparing another theatre project.

Her friends described her as talented, modest and devoted to the arts.

She had previously worked in Paris with designers Sonia Rykiel and John Galliano before founding Rainbow Wave, a company that introduced international brands to London stores.

The Laimos family are one of the best-known names in Greek shipping, with business roots stretching back to the early 20th century.