Sebastian and Gabriel Shemirani allege that their mother's anti-medicine beliefs influenced their sister Paloma to refuse life-saving chemotherapy, ultimately contributing to her tragic passing.
Siblings Call Out Mother's Role in Sister's Death from Cancer Due to Misinformation
Siblings Call Out Mother's Role in Sister's Death from Cancer Due to Misinformation
Two brothers accuse their mother of fueling cancer treatment conspiracy theories, which they believe led to their sister's death.
Gabriel and Sebastian Shemirani watched with heartbreak as their mother, Kate, gained notoriety during the pandemic for spreading misinformation about COVID-19, spiraling into conspiracy theories that have tragically impacted their family. Their younger sister Paloma, diagnosed with cancer at 23, opted out of chemotherapy despite doctors stating she had a strong chance of survival. The brothers contend that Kate's anti-medical rhetoric played a direct role in Paloma's decision-making, culminating in her death in 2024.
During the pandemic, Kate was stripped of her nursing license for her promotion of false information regarding COVID-19. Although she has publicly blamed the healthcare system for her daughter’s death, the absence of evidence to support her claims raised questions regarding her influence on Paloma's choices. In an interview, Sebastian expressed his profound sorrow, stating, “My sister has passed away as a direct consequence of my mum's actions and beliefs.”
Both brothers have reached out about their sister's tragic story to raise awareness concerning the dangers of medical misinformation proliferating across social media platforms. They believe swift action is required to mitigate the harm stemming from these false narratives, which are becoming alarmingly mainstream. Gabriel fervently wishes for Paloma's story to serve as a cautionary tale to others, emphasizing, "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."
Paloma’s childhood was steeped in her mother's radical beliefs, with her formative years marked by constant exposure to conspiracy-fueled notions. The brothers disclose that both their parents initially embraced these unconventional ideas, with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones echoing through their car on school runs. The brothers indicate that as the influence of their father's conspiracy obsession waned, their mother’s beliefs intensified, especially after her breast cancer diagnosis in 2012, when she attributed her recovery to alternative therapies rather than conventional medical treatment.
Despite being estranged from their mother, Paloma continued to engage with Kate, hoping to foster a bond. Tragically, this relationship and the underlying beliefs it perpetuated became a lens through which Paloma viewed her own health crisis. When diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in December 2023, she faced a critical decision regarding treatment, which was further complicated by Kate’s interventions. Despite assurances of an 80% survival rate with chemotherapy, pressure from her mother and alternative medicine advocates led Paloma to decline conventional treatment.
The brothers find their mother's influence particularly troubling, noting that medical professionals expressed concern about her impact on Paloma’s decision-making during her hospitalization. Subsequently, her choice to adopt Gerson therapy, a controversial alternative treatment lacking scientific backing, instead of chemotherapy further illustrated the deep-seated effects of her mother’s conspiracy beliefs.
Paloma’s health continued to decline, leading to her eventual heart attack in early 2024 due to complications from her untreated cancer. The brothers were left reeling from the loss, grappling with the haunting realization of how misinformation can have dire, life-ending consequences.
As the family prepares for an upcoming inquest into the circumstances surrounding Paloma's death, they hope their experience can illuminate the dangerous intersections of conspiracy theories and health decisions. They stand firm that the trend towards accepting anti-medicine beliefs must be addressed across digital platforms to prevent further tragedies. "This needs to be stopped,” Sebastian affirms, “we hope to ensure that no one else has to go through the pain we are enduring.”
