Parents Share Devastating Journey of Daughter's Illness and Death
In a heart-wrenching account, the parents of 14-year-old Masie Almond have described the moment they realized something was seriously wrong with their daughter, leading to a tragic outcome that shocked their community. Masie, a model student who regularly attended the gym and worked two part-time jobs while studying full-time, fell ill in September 2024, with her condition rapidly deteriorating despite medical efforts.
Initial Symptoms and Hospital Admission
On the evening of September 15, 2024, Masie returned home from a shift and complained of feeling sick. Her mother, Kathryn, initially thought it was a common bug, but overnight, Masie experienced pain, prompting her father, Stuart, to stay home to care for her the next day. Both parents noted it was unusual for Masie to miss school at Dukinfield's All Saints Catholic College, where she was a popular and active pupil.
Soon, they noticed alarming changes in Masie's appearance. Kathryn, from Tameside, Greater Manchester, recalled: "It was her eyes we noticed first. They were turning an indescribable shade of yellow. That's when we took her to the Accident and Emergency unit in Tameside." Doctors found her stomach was also yellow, which shocked her parents, leading to scans and tests to investigate the cause.
Medical Investigations and Deterioration
Masie was described as tired but brave during her hospital visits, never crying despite undergoing blood tests and scans. However, her parents observed she was not her usual lively self, indicating she was unwell. As she moved in and out of Tameside Hospital, Stuart expressed frustration, feeling that "no one really knew what was going on." Doctors suspected hepatitis and explored other viruses, but Masie's condition worsened during home leave, with Kathryn noting a desperate stare from her daughter as if pleading for help.
She was later transferred to Leeds General Infirmary for specialist liver care. Initially, Kathryn felt hopeful, as Masie appeared brighter, but soon, doctors delivered devastating news: Masie was in acute liver failure and needed a transplant. By the time a donor was secured, her condition had deteriorated so severely that even with surgery, there was less than a one percent chance of survival.
Tragic Outcome and Inquest Proceedings
When taken to theatre, doctors found Masie's body was not responding to treatment, making the transplant unviable. Stuart recounted: "Maisie was brought back to us, we spent the last couple of hours with her." Support was withdrawn, and Masie died in the early hours of October 2, 2024. Her death led to her school closing for the day, with over 1,000 pupils attending her funeral, highlighting the impact of her loss on the community.
At an inquest held at Stockport Coroner's Court on February 24, 2026, medical professionals gave evidence. Consultant Doctor David Levy, who was on duty at Tameside Hospital, apologized to Masie's parents, acknowledging that his communication was insufficient. Dr. Ramesh Kumar, a consultant in paediatric ICU at LGI, stated: "We did everything we could. We are all devastated by the outcome." Kathryn, visibly emotional, expressed gratitude for their efforts.
Before a donor liver was found, Masie had stopped breathing on her own and was intubated in ICU, underscoring the rapid progression of her illness. The inquest shed light on the challenges faced by her family and medical teams during this tragic episode.
