Louise McKenzie, 38, of Merseyside was found dead on Christmas morning after a Christmas Eve doctor visit where she was told she had an inflamed pancreas. Her 18-year-old son, Reece Barrett, discovered her unresponsive around 11 a.m. and attempted CPR at emergency dispatch instructions; paramedics were unable to revive her. The family believes Louise suffered a brain hemorrhage and now say earlier headache and dizziness may have been warning signs. A GoFundMe has raised about $21,000 toward a $32,000 goal to help Reece with housing and care for his dog, Virgil.
Mom, 38, Found Dead on Christmas Morning Hours After Doctor Visit; Son Now Facing Housing Crisis
gettyHospital (stock image)
A 38-year-old woman in Merseyside, England, was found dead on Christmas morning hours after visiting a doctor's office with her 18-year-old son, family members and local reports say.
Louise McKenzie had attended a Christmas Eve appointment with her son, Reece Barrett, where medical staff told them she had an inflamed pancreas and advised there was no immediate cause for alarm. After the visit, Reece said his mother felt well enough to run last-minute errands and tidy the house.
gettyChristmas tree (stock image)
Later that day, Louise complained of a headache and dizziness and sat down to rest. Reece went out that evening to meet friends; when he returned he went upstairs to say goodnight. "She was asleep and snoring like she always would. I went in, said 'Goodnight, I love you,' and gave her a kiss," he recalled.
The following morning, at about 11 a.m., Reece found his mother curled on the bathroom floor and immediately feared she had died. He called his girlfriend, who advised him to phone emergency services; the dispatcher instructed him to begin CPR. Reece said he briefly thought Louise had started breathing again, but paramedics were unable to revive her when they arrived.
GettyAmbulance (stock image)
"My world has been turned upside down," Reece said. "Her Christmas pajamas are still upstairs. She'll never get to wear them or see everything I had promised her."
The family now believes Louise suffered a brain hemorrhage; they say the headache and dizziness she experienced are now understood to be possible warning signs. Medical professionals have not publicly released a final cause of death in the reports cited.
Reece, 18, works full-time as a civil servant and had always lived with his mother. Her death has left him facing immediate housing and financial uncertainty, and he is trying to make arrangements for their pet pit bull, Virgil.
Vicki Bradshaw, the mother of Reece's girlfriend, launched a GoFundMe to help him cover living costs and give him time to secure private accommodation so he can keep his dog. As of Saturday, Jan. 10, the fundraiser had raised about $21,000 toward a roughly $32,000 target.
The family and friends continue to appeal for support as Reece navigates bereavement, possible relocation and the sudden responsibilities of adult life after the loss of his mother.
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