In Australia, a coroner will be examining the circumstances surrounding the death of a teenage dancer who passed away just hours after being discharged from a hospital where she was treated for a suspected seizure.
Layla-Maria Grubb, at only 18 years old, died at her residence in New South Wales on July 19.
A GoFundMe page describes Layla-Maria as a ‘dancing angel’ who was fully immersed in her dance studies at Village Nation in Sydney. She had relocated from Western Australia three years prior to pursue her passion.
On the morning of her death, July 19, she was urgently taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
The Daily Telegraph reports that it is believed Layla-Maria experienced a seizure, the first one she ever had.
Hospital staff apparently assessed Layla-Maria as fit to go home shortly after, but she was subsequently found unresponsive.
Her family is now seeking clarity, and the coroner’s investigation aims to uncover the events leading to her death.
Layla-Maria’s mother, Beth Ashton, expressed her grief in a statement to The Daily Telegraph: “We are absolutely broken, there is nothing that can take this pain away … Life will never be the same.”
Beth also announced her daughter’s passing on Facebook, noting that she had ‘left us far too soon’.
She added: “Layla-Maria brought so much joy, light, and love into the lives of everyone who knew her. A gorgeous dancer, who moved through life with the same beauty and passion she brought to the stage. Her laughter, kindness, and beautiful spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
“Though her time with us was far too short, her impact will remain in our hearts, forever 18.”
To assist Beth with the expenses related to her daughter’s funeral and to honor Layla-Maria with a fitting farewell, a GoFundMe page has been organized.
NSW Health commented on Layla-Maria’s untimely death in a statement to The Daily Telegraph: “The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District extends its sincere condolences to the family for their tragic loss.
“As this matter has been referred to the NSW Coroner, it is not appropriate to comment further.”
Village Nation’s director, Briden Starr, shared with the publication the desire of those who knew Layla-Maria to understand what transpired.
She stated: “[Layla-Maria] was not a normal 18-year-old – she was a healthy, positive, focused girl. We all want to know what happened; we are searching for answers.”
Layla-Maria’s funeral is scheduled to be held at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park in Sydney at 1.00 pm on Friday (August 1). The service will also be live-streamed to the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre in Western Australia, a venue where she previously performed.
If you wish to contribute, you can visit Layla-Maria’s GoFundMe page here.