Daughter of notorious conspiracy theorist died of cancer after 'falling for mother's theories', her brothers say

23 June 2025, 21:17

Kate Shemirani, conspiracy theorist, anti-vaxxer and former nurse
Kate Shemirani, conspiracy theorist, anti-vaxxer and former nurse. Picture: Alamy

By Jennifer Kennedy

The sons of conspiracy theorist Kate Shemirani have accused their mother of causing their sister's death through her opposition to traditional cancer treatment.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

An inquest will open next month into the death of 23-year-old Paloma Shemirani, who was diagnosed with a treatable form of cancer in 2023 and died months later after refusing chemotherapy.

The sons of Kate Shemirani, a former nurse who was struck off in 2021 for sharing anti-vaxx content to millions on social media, have claimed their sister's death was influenced by their mother's views.

Shemirani has a substantial following on social media, where she shares anti-vaccine and anti-medicine content and advocates for the use of 'natural medicine' including 'IV nutrient therapy' and supplements to cure disease. Her videos, some of which attracted millions of views, were recently banned by TikTok.

“My sister has passed away as a direct consequence of my mum’s actions and beliefs,” Paloma's older brother Sebastian Shemirani told the BBC's Panorama, “And I don’t want anyone else to go through the same pain or loss that I have."

Read More: Mass rollout of weight-loss jabs begins on NHS

Read More: Breast cancer survivors have lower risk of fatal disease, experts say

Paloma Shemirani who died of cancer after refusing chemotherapy treatment
Paloma Shemirani who died of cancer after refusing chemotherapy treatment. Picture: Alamy

Sebastian and his brother Gabriel are calling for social media companies to take stronger action to combat the spread of medical misinformation on their platforms.

“I wasn’t able to stop my sister from dying. But it would mean the world to me if I could make it that she wasn’t just another in a long line of people that die in this way,” Gabriel said.

Kate Shemirani and her husband Faramarz have stood by their views, claiming that “Paloma died as a result of medical interventions”.

The brothers believe their mother's conspiracist views began in their childhood when they listened to recordings that claimed terror attacks in the US were staged. They say her anti-medicine views were strengthened in 2012 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Her tumour was removed through surgery, but Kate Shemirani credited alternative therapies for her recovery.

On social media, she attributed her recovery from cancer to juices and coffee enemas.

Chantelle, one of Paloma’s closest friends from school, said she the influence of Kate's views on Paloma dated back to their schooldays.

Kate Shemirani speaks at an anti-vaccine protest in Trafalgar Square
Kate Shemirani speaks at an anti-vaccine protest in Trafalgar Square. Picture: Alamy

“Paloma spoke about her mum curing herself and she believed sunscreen could cause cancer,” she told the BBC. “I remember she used to get burnt so badly at school.”

After Paloma graduated from the University of Cambridge, she began experiencing chest pains. Doctors found a mass in Paloma’s lung, which was caused by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. During her diagnosis she was told she had an 80 per cent chance of recovery with chemotherapy.

Shemirani allegedly spent two days at Maidstone hospital with her daughter and after leaving texted Paloma’s boyfriend Ander Harris, who claimed she asked him to prevent her from consenting to chemotherapy.

Harris said she became worried about the side-effects of chemotherapy and by the end of her stay as an inpatient she decided against treatment.

Gabriel started a legal case arguing that Paloma should have an assessment of the appropriate medical treatment for her cancer.

The case ended in July last year when Paloma suddenly died from a heart attack caused by the tumour.

She was initially put on life support, but after several days it was switched off.

The inquest next month is due to establish the circumstances surrounding Paloma’s death.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Courtney, in her Union flag dress and hat, and her dad Stuart

Schoolgirl, 12, 'punished' for wearing Union flag dress to school culture day

E-Scooters with helmets on the side of the road in Perth, Western Australia.

British backpacker faces court over fatal e-scooter crash in Australia

Former health minister Lord Darzi was robbed of his £175,000 watch

Lord Darzi robbed of £175,000 Richard Mille watch on Capri holiday

This year's oldest London Marathon runner, Fauja Singh, celebrating his 93rd birthday as he runs across the Millennium Bridge in London.

British 'world's oldest marathon runner' dies in road accident aged 114

The car driver holds a coffee cup in hand, with a background of a blurred wheel

Fatigue-related crashes surge in summer as drivers urged to break up long journeys with more stops, data shows

Daniel Graham, 39,(left) and Adam Carruthers, 32, who have been found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland.

Pair who chopped down Sycamore Gap tree to be sentenced

Aristocrat Constance Marten shouted 'it's a scam' from the doc as she was found guilty of manslaughter

Killer aristocrat Constance Marten had four children taken into care before death of newborn baby

Grants for new electric cars are being reintroduced after being scrapped in June 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

Grants for new electric cars to be brought back as drivers could claim thousands in discounts

There is a "real concern" over the wellbeing of doctors in training, the medical regulator has warned.

‘Real concern’ over wellbeing of doctors in training as number at ‘high risk of burnout’ doubles

An inspection of the prosecuting body found while the number of rape cases being charged is increasing, urgent improvements are needed to improve the chances of convictions once they get to court.

Watchdog slams CPS over rape case failings, warning victims are being let down at crucial early stage

British-US former professional kickboxer and controversial influencer Andrew Tate (C) and his brother Tristan Tate (back R) speak to journalists after having been released from detention in Bucharest, Romania on March 12, 2024.

Children will be taught how to combat misogyny and resist ‘incel culture’ in schools under new guidance

Members of a search and rescue team embrace as they visit a memorial wall for flood victims, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.

Emergency workers suspend search for survivors of catastrophic flooding in Texas amid new severe weather warnings

John Torode took to Instagram to tell fans that he allegedly made the remarks in 2018 or 2019 and that he had apologised immediately afterwards.

MasterChef's John Torode reveals allegation of racist language amid inquiry Into Gregg Wallace complaints

Locals living next to Clemence Road were ordered to leave their properties after the inferno set a light to shrubland, trees, fences and garden furniture in an area behind the street.

Inferno in Dagenham: Over 100 firefighters battle massive grass blaze as residents evacuated from homes

Saturday, Aug. 15, 1998 file photo showing Royal Ulster Constabulary Police officers stand on Market Street, the scene of a car bombing in the centre of Omagh, Co Tyrone.

Parliament watchdog to decide whether to release 15-year-old secret transcript in Omagh car bombing enquiry

The Spanish state has condemned Yamal, who celebrated his landmark birthday this weekend with around 200 people attending the private event

Spanish government to probe Lamine Yamal's birthday bash over 'dwarf exploitation' and 'paid breast size' guests