Tests reveal cause of death of tragic Wigan mum and baby

The cause of death of a young mum and her newborn baby has been revealed after a pathology report.

Mellodie-Ocean Jarman, 19, described as "fit and healthy" by her loved ones, died at the Royal Bolton Hospital on Sunday, 2nd February, due to a blood clot in her lungs. Her baby daughter, Athena-Pearl Derbyshire, who was born seven weeks prematurely via emergency caesarean section, sadly passed away later the same day.

A pathologist’s has now report confirmed that Mellodie-Ocean suffered a pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and complications arising from her third trimester of pregnancy. Baby Athena’s cause of death was attributed to severe hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, multiorgan dysfunction, prematurity, and the impact of her mother’s cardiac arrest.

Mellodie’s devastated family have expressed their gratitude to the medical teams who fought to save both mother and daughter. In a heartfelt statement, they said: “We would like to express our gratitude to the team at Bolton from the emergency department for working so very hard to save Mellodie, and to the neonatal unit and all the team on shift that Saturday night and Sunday for trying to save Athena.

"Your love, caring, and kind support were very much needed, and you made every effort to make us feel safe. The team at the mortuary and our bereavement key worker have been so understanding and caring toward the whole family. It was paramount to see that this event has touched everyone involved. As much as we are struggling to come to terms with this whole situation, we can see that all involved are very much affected.

“So, from the bottom of our hearts, we would like to say thank you for being kind and caring at a moment in life that is really needed.”

Mellodie’s heartbroken partner, Daniel Darbyshire, 18, has spoken of his grief, saying: “We were both excited to become parents and had our whole lives to look forward to. I haven’t just lost my partner and daughter. I have lost my world, my dreams, and my safety blanket.”

Her mother, Justine Ryan, 52, added: “She was my world and was blessing me with my first granddaughter. She was funny and beautiful and would absolutely speak her mind.”

The tragedy unfolded after Mellodie collapsed at a train station in Wigan on Friday, 31st January, while on her way to a private 4D scan appointment. She reported feeling dizzy and even seeing a vision of her late grandfather. She was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where she was prescribed antibiotics and liquid iron before being discharged.

However, the following night, on Saturday, 1st February, she collapsed again and stopped breathing. She was rushed back to hospital, where baby Athena was delivered by emergency C-section just after 12:30am. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, Mellodie sadly passed away just over an hour later. Later that afternoon, baby Athena’s condition worsened, and she died shortly before 6:30pm.

A fundraiser set up by the family to help cover the costs of their funerals has already raised more than £15,000. Donations can be made via the family’s GoFundMe page here.