Connor Sparrowhawk

Connor Sparrowhawk, 18, was a White boy from Oxford who loved buses, The Mighty Boosh and Eddie Stobart. He was adored by his family who affectionately referred to him as LB or Laughing Boy.

Connor had autism, learning disabilities and epilepsy. In 2013, he died while at the Short Term and Treatment Team Unit (STATT) in Oxford run by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. He had drowned after he had an epileptic seizure alone while taking a bath.

An inquest jury concluded two years later that neglect had contributed to his death. The inquest highlighted serious failings at the unit, including lack of training for staff, lack of communication with Connor’s family and lack of clinical leadership.

In 2014, an independent investigation found Connor's death was preventable and there were significant failings in epilepsy management. The STATT unit was subsequently closed down.

Connor’s family started the collective and creative JusticeforLB campaign, seeking a proper investigation into his death as well as a corporate manslaughter prosecution. The NHS trust later pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws and was fined £2 million over Connor's and another person’s death.

Click here to read Sara Ryan’s (Connor’s mother) blog or listen to her interview about justice in Series 2: Episode 3 of the Unlawful Killing podcast.

In 2017, Sara published a book about Connor, his "death by indifference" and their journey for justice. In 2024 it was turned into a play, debuting at Jermyn Street Theatre.