Tragic Flesh-Eating Disease Death: Doctors Ignored Red Flags

NEED TO KNOW An amateur soccer player from England died from sepsis and a flesh-eating disease in January 2023 20-year-old Luke Abrahams had his symptoms dismissed as tonsillitis and sciatica by several medical professionals in the days leading up to his death Ahead of a court investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, Abrahams' parents remembered him as a kind man who "got on with everyone" An amateur soccer player was diagnosed with tonsillitis and prescribed antibiotics just days before his death from a bacterial infection and a flesh-eating disease. An investigation into his death was opened at Northampton Coroner's Court in England on Tuesday, Jan. 20, following the death of 20-year-old Luke Abrahams on Jan. 23, 2023, per a post on the North Northamptonshire Council website. The BBC reported that the inquest was opened after Abrahams, from Northampton, which is about 70 miles north of London, died of sepsis and necrotising fasciitis. Per the Cleveland Clinic, "Necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease, is a bacterial infection that affects the tissue under your skin called fascia." The site adds that the infection can be "treated with antibiotics and surgery to remove damaged tissue." In the week before his death, Abrahams was in contact with numerous doctors, as well as the emergency room and paramedics, per ITV. He also called 111 [the U.K.'s non-emergency medical number]. After Abrahams was diagnosed with tonsillitis and prescribed antibiotics, his condition deteriorated and leg pain left him unable to move, according to the BBC. Three days before his death, Abrahams had a video consultation with an out-of-hours doctor on Jan. 20, 2023, with the medic diagnosing sciatica. Per Mayo Clinic, sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve from the buttocks and down each leg. Although Abrahams had a high temperature and high blood sugar levels, an ambulance crew said he didn't need to go to the hospital when his family called them 12 hours after his sciatica diagnosis. He was admitted to the hospital two days later, but died the following day, the BBC added. Before his death, attempts had been made to save Abrahams by amputating his leg, ITV reported. Speaking before the court investigation into his death, Abrahams' father, Richard, said, "It’s so frustrating — they know they could have treated him better than they did," per ITV. "We want justice and accountability. Someone has to be held responsible," he added. Abrahams' mother, Julie, said, "We would just like to know where they went wrong, how they let Luke down, and for them to be honest and to show accountability, so we can properly grieve and let Luke rest in peace properly," ITV reported. Susan Jevons, head of patient safety and coroner services for East Midlands Ambulance Service, admitted during the court investigation that Abrahams should've been taken to the hospital, per the BBC. Jevons said, "If you look at Luke's presentation, it was not normal. Blood sugar and pain score warranted a transfer to [the] hospital," she said, adding, "He was an unwell man." "He'd been treated and it wasn't working. Leaving him at home wasn't going to get the treatment he required," she concluded. It was confirmed during the court investigation that a paramedic involved had since left the ambulance service after being supervised for some time after the incident, the BBC stated. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a November 2024 article, the BBC noted that an investigation into Abrahams' death had been opened, but the coroner had adjourned the court hearing until May 2025 after stating he had died of "natural causes." The previous report stated that a serious incident investigation at the East Midlands Ambulance Service Trust had found that the crew failed to follow guidelines and policies before Abrahams' death, the BBC reported, adding that his symptoms should have indicated a life-threatening condition and resulted in a transfer to the hospital. The investigation also said that the fact that Abrahams wasn't taken to the hospital meant there was a "missed opportunity" for him to get medical help, which could have prevented "deterioration," per the outlet. "He just got on with everyone, he had a second for everyone," Abrahams' parents told the BBC of their son before Tuesday's court investigation. "He used to go out at 11 at night because his friend needed a chat. He would make time for everyone, just bringing everyone together. That was Luke," they added. NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment and additional information. An East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson told PEOPLE in an email, "With the [investigation] underway, and we believe currently planned to continue until Thursday, we will be waiting until the Coroner has concluded before sharing a statement." A spokesperson for the Northampton Coroner's Office confirmed to PEOPLE that the [investigation] may conclude on Thursday, Jan. 22, or Friday, Jan. 23.