In memory of those who "died suddenly" in the UK, July 5-July 11
TV star Declan Donnelly's brother (55); magazine editor Marcus Fairs (54); three pro athletes (35, 67. 74); a leading tinnitus researcher (61); a girl (17) killed by a rare autoimmune disease; & more
UNITED KINGDOM
Declan Donnelly ‘beyond devastated’ following death of brother Father Dermott aged 55 from serious illness
July 8, 2022
Declan Donnelly’s brother has died at the age of 55 following a serious illness, leaving the TV star heartbroken.
Father Dermott was rushed to North Durha, Hospital on Thursday after collapsing, before his younger brother joined him along with other family members.
The priest’s death was confirmed by the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle in a statement reading: ‘It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Fr Dermott Donnelly who died peacefully this afternoon in hospital.’
They said the news has ‘come as a great shock to all of us’, adding: ‘Please pray for the repose of his soul and keep his family, especially his mother, in your prayers at this difficult time.’
https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/08/declan-donnelly-beyond-devastated-following-death-of-brother-aged-55-16968648/
Dezeen Founder Marcus Fairs Dies at 54
July 5, 2022
Dezeen founder and editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs died suddenly June 30 at the age of 54 after falling ill last week, according to a statement on the site. Fairs—an early pioneer of digital journalism and an innovator in the field— launched Dezeen in 2006 in his spare bedroom, forever transforming the design media landscape.
Known for his entrepreneurial sensibilities, Fairs quickly built Dezeen into a global hub for news about the architecture and design community, creating a forum for conversation and engagement that included impactful op-eds and industry resources, such as event and job listings. Last year the publication was acquired by JP/Politiken Media Group, a Danish company to ensure it remained a “bastion of independent journalism,” according to the site, led by Fairs.
No cause of death reported.
https://interiordesign.net/designwire/dezeen-founder-marcus-fairs-dies-at-54/
Three professional athletes:
Former Partick Thistle and Ross County star Adam Strachan dies aged 35
July 9, 2022
Tributes have been paid to former Partick Thistle and Ross County star Adam Strachan after he passed away at the age of 35.
A product of the Thistle academy, he made his debut at the age of 16 and was man-of-the-match against Livingston. The former midfielder made a further 73 appearances for the Scottish Premiership outfit before falling out of contention and he left by mutual consent in December 2007.
Strachan went on to then have a journeyman career in the Scottish lower leagues with spells with the likes of Dumbarton, Clyde, Arbroath and Clydebank.
The midfielder was forced to retire from the game in October 2018 with BSC Glasgow having suffered a horrendous ankle injury in a match with Whitehill Welfare.
No cause of death reported.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/partick-thistle-adam-strachan-dies-27442951
Former Millwall FC Midfielder Phil Walker Dies At 67
July 9, 2022
Phil Walker, former Millwall FC Midfielder and uncle of current Southampton FC and England defender Kyle Walker-Peters, has passed away at the age of 67 years. The football legend breathed his last on Friday morning, July 8, 2022.
Phil Walker died in the morning this Friday. The former midfielder was 67 years old at the time of his death. His family is yet to release an official statement regarding the cause of his death. The incident was apparently natural and there was no foul play involved.
Walker was recently noticed struggling with old-age-related issues like back problems and knee pain. However, he wasn’t suffering from a chronic illness that might have played a key role in his death.
The exact cause of Phil Walker’s death is unknown at this moment. Twitter users are wondering if the ex-midfielder got a heart attack and passed away due to cardiac arrest in the morning. However, such rumors are purely based on speculation and there’s no source to support them.
https://bareillycollege.org/former-millwall-fc-midfielder-phil-walker-dies-at-67/
RIP Aberdeen pay tribute as Dons legend Davie Robb dies aged 74
ABERDEEN have paid tribute to Davie Robb as they revealed the club legend has died aged 74.
Robb scored a whopping total of 98 goals in 345 appearances for the Dons between the years 1966-1977.
He left Aberdeen with two trophies after winning both the Scottish Cup and League Cup in 1970 and 76 respectively. And Robb netted the winning goal in the 1976 final against Celtic at Hampden Park. He also had spells in America and Canada, playing for Tampa Bay Rowdies, Philadelphia Fury, Vancouver Whitecaps and Tusla Roughnecks. And he spent a season at both Norwich City and Dunfermline. The legendary forward picked up five caps for Scotland as well during his career as he made his debut in 1971 after featuring three times for the U23 side also. An Aberdeen statement read: "It is with immense sadness we have learned of the passing of Davie Robb. "The thoughts of everyone at Pittodrie are with the AFC legends family, friends & former teammates at this sad time.
Aberdeen pay tribute as Dons legend Davie Robb dies aged 74
A world leader in tinnitus research:
Dave Baguley, 61, RIP
July 11, 2022
My brother Dave Baguley, who has died suddenly aged 61, was a leader in the field of audiology, working for three decades at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge and then at the University of Nottingham, where he carried out research into hearing loss and tinnitus.
'RIP little angel' - Tributes paid to baby girl after sudden death
July 5, 2022
Tributes have been pouring in from readers left heartbroken by the story of a baby girl who was sadly found dead in her cot at just seven weeks old. Little Poppy-Rae was found by mum Molly Brown on June 14. Molly, 21, started CPR on the baby and two ambulances and an air ambulance were sent to the scene. But despite everyone's best efforts, Poppy-Rae was sadly pronounced dead in Stafford. A post-mortem examination revealed something on her lungs, although more investigation is needed and her current cause of death has been recorded as yet to be determined. Readers paid tribute to the tot in the comments section of the story on social media.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/rip-little-angel-tributes-paid-24401104
Girl, 17, with 'fantastic personality' dies of rare blood disorder
July 10, 2022
The devastated family of a teenage girl who has died aged 17 have paid an emotional tribute to the "bright people person" with "a fantastic sense of humour and personality" who "touched the lives of everyone that met her". Leah Rogers, from Neath, was on her first parent-free holiday with friends shortly before she fell ill with what doctors had initially suspected was tonsillitis. But later she was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis – a life-threatening immune condition.
The sibling of two and loving "beautiful daughter" died on June 7 leaving the family "devastated and unable to comprehend" with efforts now invested in fundraising and spreading awareness of histiocytic diseases to "prevent other families suffering the same" tragedy they are now contending with.
Leah enjoyed a holiday with friends in Majorca in May this year. Shortly after she returned she fell ill with what doctors initially suspected was tonsillitis and they issued her with antibiotics in order to make her more comfortable. After several trips to hospital Leah was later diagnosed with glandular fever that was expected to clear on its own but her condition worsened and the family were advised she had been suffering from liver failure.
She was transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis which causes organ failure as it destroys healthy cells instead of those infected. Leah had been transferred to the intensive care unit and ventilated as her condition gradually deteriorated.
Her family were able to say their final goodbyes as they were informed she would likely not make it through the night and tragically she died hours later. They have now began their efforts to help raise awareness of the devastating condition with hopes of preventing future sufferers and families from the "excruciating pain we have endured". There is an ongoing fundraiser in Leah's name aimed at supporting and researching the disease and you can donate to it by clicking here.
"It all happened so suddenly and our lives will never be the same. She has left a massive void in our hearts – one that can never be replaced" said her father Hugh Rogers. "She had friends from all over Aberavon. She was a very intelligent person and intended to become an intensive care nurse or accident and emergency nurse after she left school."
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/girl-17-fantastic-personality-dies-24444092
Horror as mum, 38, ‘devoted to her four children’ collapses and dies suddenly on school run
July 8, 2022
Tributes have been paid to a UK mum who collapsed and died suddenly while on the school run.
Donna Taylor, 38, was walking her daughter to school last Monday when her head began hurting, The Sun reports.
Emergency crews battled to save the mum in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorks, for an hour before she was taken to hospital.
Sadly Ms Taylor was declared clinically brain dead and her life support machine was switched off the next day.“She was literally just walking her daughter to school and said she got a pain in her head and she [ended] up collapsing, an ambulance was rung and they were working on her for about an hour at the side of the road,” her devastated cousin Kealy Smith said.
“It was very unexpected, she was just taking her daughter to school. She was talking to my uncle the night before. I think everyone was just in shock. How can you go from taking your daughter to school to being gone?”
Dudley mum died after 'niggle' in stomach turned out to be pancreatic cancer
July 10, 2022
A much-loved mum and nan died just eight months after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Carol Lane had a 'niggle' pain which medics initially thought to be gall stones. But a scan showed a mass on her pancreas - an organ which is part of both the digestive and endocrine systems - with a biopsy confirming that it was cancerous.
And devastatingly, Carol had just celebrated ten years in remission from breast cancer when she received the diagnosis. She underwent chemotherapy but sadly nothing could be done to save her life. The mum-of-three, who lived in Dudley, died on April 18 this year when she was just 57 years old.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/dudley-mum-died-after-niggle-24405830
Heartbreak as former Sheffield Wednesday scout, 37, dies while on walking holiday
July 5, 2022
Karl Newton, 37, was on a walking holiday in the Lake District with friends when he passed away this week, it was confirmed by his current club Blackburn Rovers. A passionate member of club staff, Newton worked as a ‘regional youth team and non-league scout’ at Wednesday having been brought to the club by former boss Garry Monk, who had also taken him to his previous job at Middlesbrough. He joined his role as a technical recruitment analyst at Championship side Blackburn only last month.
A passionate amateur football coach at his beloved Newcastle City Juniors, his LinkedIn profile reads that he was on a “journey to a life fulfilling dream of working full time in football.”
Blackburn released a heartfelt statement that read: “We are devastated to learn of the tragic and untimely passing of Karl Newton, who recently joined the club as our new technical recruitment analyst. An experienced and highly-regarded football scout, who had also worked for Stockport County, AFC Fylde, Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough and Leyton Orient, Karl sadly passed away last week whilst walking in the Lake District with friends.
No cause of death reported.
'Soulmate' wife 'who lit up every room' dies suddenly on trip to celebrate her dream job
July 8, 2022
A woman who "lit up every room" died of a suspected heart attack in Turkey while celebrating bagging her dream job.
Kate Thornton was a 'fit and healthy' 42-year-old when she suffered a suspected cardiac arrest just days into her holiday with her husband on June 28.
Kate and her 'soulmate' Steve had travelled to the holiday hotspot after she was offered her dream job as a senior marketing operations specialist for Minitab.
The pair booked the last minute trip abroad for June 25 to celebrate, and Steve said their time together was 'fantastic'.
Her death has come as a huge shock to her friends and family, as she had no previous health issues or symptoms, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Husband Steve said: "It was after midnight the day after when things took a turn for the worst.
"She was healthy, fit, didn't smoke, if anything she took pride in her health.
"I spent the rest of the week doing as much as I could there, the prognosis the Turkish authorities gave was down to a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in her heart but the coroner here is going to look into it."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/soulmate-wife-who-lit-up-27436067
Castle Square: Man dies suddenly at Sheffield city centre shop despite best efforts of medics
July 7,
A South Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed officers were called out at 3.46 pm today (July 6) to reports of a man experiencing a medical episode at the Co-op in Castle Square. The spokesperson continued: “A man in his 70s is believed to have suffered a medical episode and sadly died at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file has been prepared for the coroner.” Three police cars and two ambulances were sent to the scene, and the Co-op store is believed to have closed in the hours following the tragic incident.
No cause of death reported.
Shoppers' shock as man's body found close to busy retail park
July 5, 2022
Customers at a busy Wirral retail park looked on in shock as police descended on the area. Emergency services rushed to Bidston Moss Retail Park, off junction one of the M53, in Wallasey, after a man's body was found. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police cordoned off a section of the car park, and forensic officers were seen working in a wooded area. The area which was sealed off is at the rear of the large car park which backs on to an area of rough ground, close to the busy road junction off the M53. The retail park is home to a number of stores including B&Q, Halfords, and Aldi.
Merseyside Police are now trying to find out the identify of the man and contact his next of kin. Officers confirmed his death is not being treated as suspicious.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/shoppers-shock-mans-body-found-24406148
Tragedy as man's body found on Scafell after extensive search
July 8, 2022
A man's body has tragically been found on Scafell. Cumbria Police said the man, in his 40s, was discovered at around 7.16 pm last night (July 7). It following an 'extensive search' by mountain rescue teams. No formal identification has yet taken place. A force spokesperson said the man’s family 'have been made aware of the developments' and the circumstances of his death 'are not believed to be suspicious'.
https://www.lancs.live/news/local-news/tragedy-mans-body-found-scafell-24432943
Tributes pour in for St Helens woman who died suddenly in Turkey
July 6, 2022
People from across St Helens have shared tributes and condolences for a much-loved woman who died while on holiday in Turkey. Despite having no prior health issues, Kate Thornton died of a suspected cardiac arrest on Tuesday, June 28, while on holiday in Turkey.
Known around St Helens for her work with men's mental health charity HIMvisible, Kate is said to have spent her life constantly trying to better herself and others. The digital marketing manager was in Turkey celebrating a "life changing" new role, and leaves behind a husband, two stepsons, her parents and a beloved dog. Since the devastating news, tributes have poured in for the much-loved 42-year-old.
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/20259350.tributes-pour-st-helens-woman-died-suddenly-turkey/
A mysterious drowning:
Young Brit dies after being found unconscious in pool
July 6, 2022
Cyprus - A 21-year-old British tourist died on Tuesday night after he was found unconscious in a hotel swimming pool in the Tombs of the Kings area. According to Paphos police spokesman Michalis Nicolaou, the 21-year-old was found at 6.00 pm unconscious in the pool of the hotel where he was staying with his parents. Lifeguards removed the man from the pool and he was taken by ambulance to Paphos hospital. The young man was then intubated in the Intensive Care Unit Department but was pronounced dead shortly after. Police are investigating as to how the incident in the swimming pool unfolded and an autopsy is to be carried out.
https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/07/06/young-brit-dies-after-being-found-unconscious-in-pool/
Tributes paid to Welcome to Yorkshire administrator Rob Adamson after death aged 53
July 5, 2022
Mr Adamson, who worked for Leeds firm Armstong Watson and died last month, was a well-known figure in the Yorkshire business community. He had recently been involved in leading the administration of the region’s tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, with e-commerce company Silicon Dales buying its key assets including its brand name, Yorkshire.com website and the rights to host the Tour de Yorkshire cycling race.
Mike Kienlen, Head of Restructuring and Insolvency and Chairman of Armstrong Watson, said: “Rob Adamson was a well-known and highly respected Insolvency Practitioner (IP) for Armstrong Watson LLP, based in Leeds, who passed away suddenly at the age of 53."
No cause of death reported.
Neil Scanlan, 70
July 6, 2022
My friend and colleague Neil Scanlan, who has died suddenly aged 70, held strong socialist beliefs and sought to maximise the benefits of community support in helping all children, from whatever background, to reach and demonstrate the full range of their abilities. To this end, he was at the forefront in the introduction in schools of an individual’s “record of achievement”, which showed not only test and examination performances, but other areas of interest and development.
No cause of death reported.
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/jul/06/neil-scanlan-obituary
Thanks, Mark.
I wouldn't be surprised if this was a vaxx death too.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/lauren-goodger-speaks-out-for-the-first-time-after-tragic-los
She apparently had a very normal pregnancy and a normal birth.
I'm not sure why you would include the woman who died of pancreatic cancer, 8 months after being diagnosed, and 10 years after having breast cancer. People have re-occurrences of cancer all the time, and dying 8 months after being diagnosed is in no way "suddenly".