Our missing dad died alone in hospital as he wasn’t identified by cops or medics – we weren’t able to say goodbye

THREE daughters whose dad was missing for weeks – but was actually dying alone in hospital – say they were robbed of the chance to say goodbye.

Joanne, Jamielee and Natalie Allton said they have been left “heartbroken” after their missing dad wasn’t recognised by cops or medics at a hospital just 25 miles from where he was last seen.

Pictured, Joanne (left) and Jamielee, both 24, are desperate for answers

The girls say their dad’s death, and the circumstances surrounding it, were just too much to bear

Twin sisters Joanne and Jamielee, 24, and their younger sibling Nicole, 22, said they haven’t been able to grieve for their dad properly and are missing closure because they never got to say goodbye.

Joanne told The Sun: “When police told me he’d been found – but that he was dead, I just felt sick. I couldn’t breathe.”

Neil Parkes, 41, was reported to police as a missing person, but was not identified when he was taken to hospital two days after he vanished in April 2020.

Dad-of-three Neil was a resident at Oak House, a specialist unit in Leicester for people with complex needs.

An inquest last week heard how he discharged himself on April 27 and was told to attend homelessness centres in his native Leicester.

But the dad didn’t check in at either of the centres, and was subsequently reported missing by his family.

Despite a number of local police forces being informed, officers failed to recognise the vulnerable man when they found him after a fall in a stairwell in Queen’s Road, Nuneaton.

He was taken to Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry – a 30 minute drive away – but staff there also failed to recognise him.

Neil lay dying in his hospital bed, alone, and was only identified by his fingerprints when he passed away two-weeks later.

His family didn’t disclose how he died but said that he had struggled with alcohol, memory, and mental health issues.

The girls say they haven’t had any closure due to the nature of their dad’s death.

“To be told he was missing, and then he’d been found – but was dead. I couldn’t handle it”, Joanne, a full-time-mum, said.

Jamielee, also a mum, said: “It’s just heart-breaking that he had no-one there and he was confused and alone.”

The sisters agreed that the case was grossly mis-handled and felt out of the loop.

Jamielee described the sequence of events around her dad’s disappearance and death as “dodgy”.

Her younger sister Natalie added: “I just feel a bit neglected by the police and the hospital because nobody got in touch with us.

“We were just left wondering what was going on.”

All three of the girls agree their dad was let down by police and hospital staff.

Joanne said: “I just get so upset because the police should have realised.”

“I feel let down by the police, the system. The police have definitely failed my dad,” Jamielee added.

Natalie said: “I just feel a bit neglected by the police and the hospital because nobody got in touch with us.

“We were just left wondering what was going on.

“I want something to be done about it so it doesn’t happen again. Hopefully it will change how they deal with things and situations in the future.”

She added: “I wish I could have seen him.”

At last week’s inquest, Senior Coroner for Warwickshire Sean McGovern raised a number of concerns over the matter.

Mr McGovern ordered Warwickshire Police’s Chief Constable, Debbie Tedds to explain what steps have been taken to prevent a further case, or outline why no further action is considered necessary.

He issued a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) to Ms Tedds.

A copy of the report has also been sent to the National Crime Agency, in a bid to prevent future, similar incidents.

The girls will have to wait until March to see what officials say, but are desperate to know how their dad’s lonely death was allowed to happen.

“I just want answers really,” Joanne said.

A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police said: “The force recently received a Regulation 28 Notice and is considering its response to the concerns raised.”

The University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS trust, which operates Walsgrave Hospital, has been contacted for comment.

The girls said they haven’t had closure for their dad

The family didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to their dad, Neil

Joanne Allton/ The SunNeil died ‘alone and confused’, his daughter said[/caption]