Social media influencer Melissa Mae Carlton and her husband, Tom, have experienced a profound loss as they mourn the tragic death of their youngest daughter, Molly.
Melissa, an influencer known for her faith-based art shop, shared the heartbreaking news on December 26. She posted a series of pictures on Instagram featuring Molly, her other children, and her husband.
In the caption, Melissa revealed that Molly passed away on Christmas Day and is now with her older sister Abi, who succumbed to sepsis at the age of nine in April 2024.
She wrote, “On Christmas morning, our sweet Molly girl, and her big sister Abi were reunited. [broken heart emoji] This is the only thing giving me even a small sense of comfort.
“Molly missed her sister so deeply. She would often ask me, ‘Mummy, when is Jesus coming back so Abi can come down?’ “
“We are devastated. In disbelief. Confused and in shock. We are exhausted and shaken after a day filled with trauma and heartbreak.”
Continuing the caption, she expressed: “I feel numb. I cannot yet accept that this is real. I am not ready for this pain.
“We are overwhelmed by how many of you prayed with us and for her yesterday. I am asking, with all my heart, that those prayers do not stop [red heart emoji].
“In the days and weeks ahead, there will be so much to do and to organize, and we will need strength beyond our own.
Amid their grief, Melissa also shared her worries for their other children, son Harry, and daughter Lily.
She expressed being ‘scared of what life looks like now for us’ and is ‘heartbroken’ for her children.
Following the announcement of the death, many followers offered their condolences. However, some social media users began to speculate about the cause, adding to the family’s distress.
To address the speculation, Melissa courageously shared details, explaining that while an official cause of death is undetermined, doctors have a strong suspicion of a genetic heart condition affecting both Molly and Abi.
“I hesitate to share a medical update already because we still don’t have an official diagnosis. But I do feel it’s important to let people know that we have some answers this time,” she wrote on Instagram. “The doctors believe Molly had a genetic heart condition and suspect this may have been the case with Abi as well.”
Melissa hopes sharing their story will aid other families dealing with the tragedy of SUDC (sudden unexpected death in children).
“We’ve been told that even a minor illness could potentially trigger a sudden cardiac event,” she explained. “We were in the best possible place, with everything aligned for the best conditions and the best outcome. Her little body fought so hard. But we’ve been told that this type of cardiac event is, in most cases, not survivable.”
“I hope we will get more answers soon and will be doing more genetic investigation for our family now we have possibly a clearer avenue to explore,” she concluded. “We are grateful for every single one of you.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.