Grieving daughter, 32, dies of heart attack during coronavirus mum’s funeral
A GRIEVING daughter collapsed and died of a heart attack during her coronavirus mum’s funeral. Laura Richards, 32, fell clutching her chest as her mum Julie Murphy, 63, was lowered into the ground at Atherstone Cemetery in Warwickshire. ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates Horrified mourners, including the vicar, […]
A GRIEVING daughter collapsed and died of a heart attack during her coronavirus mum’s funeral.
Laura Richards, 32, fell clutching her chest as her mum Julie Murphy, 63, was lowered into the ground at Atherstone Cemetery in Warwickshire.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Horrified mourners, including the vicar, desperately rushed to help but were tragically unable to save her life last Tuesday.
Speaking to the Sun Online, Laura’s half-sister Sadie said the family had been left reeling by the double tragedy.
Sadie, who is at high-risk of coronavirus after having a kidney transplant, said she had been unable to attend the funeral herself, with only close family members having been able to go due to social distancing guidelines.
But the 45-year-old, from Dordon, Warks, said her daughter was among the few family members at the service and tried to save Laura.
She said: “They were lowering my mum into the ground and Laura suddenly said ‘I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe’.
“She was clutching her chest.
“My daughter told her to sit down, and put a coat around her but she could barely speak or catch her breath.
“Even the vicar tried to help save her life. But there was nothing that could be done, she had a massive heart attack.
“To lose your sister at your mum’s funeral – it’s like a horror film. She was only 32.”
She added: “I can’t get my head around that it happened just as mum’s coffin was being lowered.
“It’s just horrible. It’s wrong.”
‘HER BODY JUST GAVE UP’
Gran and mum-of-four Julie died in hospital on March 15 after contracting coronavirus at Oldbury Grange nursing home, Nuneaton, Warks.
Julie, who was battling aggressive MS and dementia, was buried next to her husband, Kevin, who died in 2012.
And in a heartbreaking final message, Laura had dedicated a post online to her mum after Julie’s death.
In the touching tribute, she wrote “Love you mum” with an emotional photograph of them together.
Her family said she had been so distraught at losing her parents that her “body just gave up on her”.
She was buried next to her mum yesterday – with only five people able to attend due to coronavirus rules.
Half-sister Sadie said: “We had to wear masks when we saw mum in the hospital just before she died, and I think it really upset Laura seeing her in that environment.
“She hadn’t been out of the house until the funeral. Losing mum must have really affected her.
“I think her body just gave up on her.”
And Sadie paid tribute to her little sister, saying Laura had a “heart of gold”.
She told The Sun Online: “She would do anything for anyone and she would make everyone laugh.
“I keep looking out of my window thinking she’ll turn up in a taxi to say hello. “I don’t want their deaths to be in vain.
“My mum caught coronavirus and my sister lost her life saying goodbye.
“I don’t want other families to suffer like I have. So please follow the rules, please stay inside and protect lives.
“People of all ages are dying – young kids, doctors and nurses. Please just stay inside.”
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Laura’s other sister Kelly Murphy also paid tribute to her “special little sister”.
She wrote online: “Finally at rest mum, can’t believe the outcome of the day.
“Losing such a special little sister whilst putting mum to rest.
“Look after each other up there. Still in shock, words can’t express how we all feel.
“We love you both with all our heart and we miss you.”
The tragic death of Laura and her mum comes as the UK death toll from coronavirus yesterday climbed to more than 6,000 with more than 51,000 cases.
A witness said: “It really was horrendous – Julie was being laid to rest and her daughter started saying ‘my chest is tight, my chest is tight – I can’t breathe’.
“She was stood on the tarmac, just to the side of the burial plot, and fell to the floor.
“She was on her side, clearly in distress.”
An air ambulance was rushed to the scene while police were also called but it was tragically too late.
They added: “The paramedics worked on her at the scene before she was taken away in the ambulance.
“They tried their best but sadly it was too late by the time she got to hospital.”
Warwickshire Police confirmed they had been called to the scene about 12.30pm on Tuesday, March 31 to “concern for welfare” reports.
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A spokesperson said: “The woman was taken to hospital by the ambulance service but sadly later died.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
West Midlands Ambulance service said two ambulances had been rushed to the scene and had taken Laura in a critical condition to University Hospital Coventry.
A Oldbury Grange nursing home spokeman declined to comment but confirmed they were protecting their residents’ health and safety.
