Schoolgirl Alaina Taylor died of a rare heart defect, the Grimsby Telegraph can reveal.
A pathologist has confirmed that the 15-year-old’s death was caused by Diseased Myocarditis, an undetectable viral infection, which caused the heart valves to malfunction.
The Telegraph reported how former Tollbar Business and Enterprise pupil Alaina was found in her bed in November.
Her parents, Sonya and Carl, of Oldin Court, Scartho Top, believed then that she had choked in her sleep. But a thorough post mortem revealed that she was suffering from the heart condition.
Mrs Taylor said: “We just want to put the story straight, now we have got the full facts. It still should not have happened, but I hope that we can soon find a cure.
“Alaina absolutely loved life, and life loved her up until this sad day. How I will live without her I just don’t know, but I know I had a very special daughter that I shared so many things with.
“Even at the tender age of fifteen she was so understanding and caring to her family. She was my friend and soul mate, we were so much alike.”
Struggling to come to terms with her daughter’s death, Mrs Taylor is now looking to the future with purpose.
“I have to try to carry on for my other two children, who have been a great support to me and my husband, and they have been lucky to have really special partners of their own that have been there for them.”
The whole family is now committed to the charity CRY, an organisation which raises awareness of Cardiac Risk in the Young and Sudden Death Syndrome.
Alaina’s best friend, Leanne Markham, has arranged a concert at the Winter Gardens, on Friday, with a line-up of popular local bands preparing to entertain the crowds.
And the dedicated friend has also teamed up with Alaina’s sister Kelly (20), to do a sponsored parachute jump, on March 18, at Hibaldstow, near Brigg. Proceeds from both events will go to CRY.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the jump can log onto http://www.justgiving.com/leannemarkham
Tickets for Friday’s gig, which starts at 7pm, can be bought from Solid Entertainments, Cleethorpes’ Winter Gardens or from a family member.
