Shock As Woman Collapses And Dies During Funeral Of Her Mother Who Died From Coronavirus

Laura Richards

A grieving daughter collapsed and died of a heart attack during her coronavirus mum's funeral.

Laura Richards, 32, fell to the floor as her mum Julie Murphy, 63, was lowered into the ground at Atherstone Cemetery in Warwickshire.

Horrified mourners desperately rushed to help but were tragically unable to save her life last Tuesday.

Speaking to the Sun Online, Laura's sister Lisa Green said herself, her husband and other sister Kelly Murphy had desperately tried to give her CPR.

She said: "Everyone was really upset and Laura said she was light-headed and had pains in her chest.

"We thought it was just anxiety at first but then I called 999."

She said family members took it in turns to try to keep Laura alive as paramedics rushed to the scene.

Lisa added: "It was just awful."

And 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.

She told the Sun Online: "They were lowering my mum into the ground and Laura suddenly said ‘I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe’.

"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."

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Source: The Sun UK