Cause of death confirmed for two triplets who tragically died in their cot

Sarah Owen

by Aimee Jakes |
Updated on

The cause of death for two triplets who died in their cot has been confirmed

Two five-month-old triplets died in their cot last September, leaving mother Sarah Owen absolutely distraught.

Sarah, 29, from Bridgend, tragically found two of her triplets, Charlie and Noah, dead in their cot when they were five-months-old laid next to their brother Ethan on 23 September last year.

But the cause of death was undetermined until now, after an inquest into their death discovered that they'd both died of chest infections.

The boys were weak after being born a month prematurely, and a six-month investigation into their deaths has ruled out the possible theories of carbon monoxide poisoning or cot death (SIDS).

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The results of the post mortem found that both Charlie and Noah died of prematurity, as well as Charlie suffering from bronchopneumonia, an infection of the lungs which causes inflammation, and Noah from a respiratory tract infection.

Devastated Sarah reportedly picked up Ethan and ran out of her house, screaming: "My babies," repeatedly.

She paid tribute to the babies, and said: "We are devastated at the loss of our two beautiful babies, who, along with their brother Ethan, lit up our world.

"Noah and Charlie were my life, heart and soul.

"They were the happiest babies, they always had a smile for everyone and made everyone smile back.

"I would give anything to hold my beautiful boys, to see them smile, hear them laugh or even hear them cry.

"I am completely lost and heartbroken without them it feels like I've lost my limbs."

babies
©Go Fund Me

Sarah's tragedy had not ended with the death of two of her sons, after her brother died 10 days after his nephews.

Her older brother - 32-year-old Stephen Owen - died suddenly of a suspected heart attack.

The dad-of-five, who was found dead on his settee, had reportedly been suffering from chest pains for a number of days before his death.

According to MailOnline, a family friend explained: "Steve died just 10 days after his two nephews.

"Sarah can't believe it, she's just numb with the shock of it all.

"The whole family can't comprehend what has happened in such a short space of time.

"Apparently he's been having chest pains but ignored it because of everything that was going on with the babies."

In a statement, South Wales Police said: “South Wales Police attended an address in the Wildmill area of Bridgend at approximately 10.05am today after receiving a report of two unresponsive infants.

“On arrival at the property the five-month-old boys, who are two of triplets, were found to not be breathing and were taken to the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend. Tragically, both were subsequently pronounced dead at the hospital.

“Enquiries are continuing to establish the cause of the deaths, however they are not being treated as suspicious.”

The boys' heartbroken grandmother wrote a Facebook status calling it 'the hardest day saying goodbye' and has set up a Gofundme page to raise money for the family.

charlie and noah
©Facebook

Siobhan Boyd wrote: "Sadly this morning 2 of my beautiful godsons passed away.

"I'm trying to raise money for their mother to help with the costs of flowers etc.

"If anybody would like to help hopefully we can raise enough to take the financial stress off sarah at this difficult timem thank you all for reading xxx."

According to the NHS, just under 300 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year in the UK.

Health chiefs say most deaths occur during the first six months of a baby's life with infants born prematurely or with a low weight at greater risk.

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