Nottingham Parents' Heartbreak as 'Healthy' Toddler Dies Unexpectedly
The parents of a 17-month-old girl from Nottingham have spoken of their anguish after their daughter died unexpectedly with no prior symptoms, leaving them without answers. Ella McNally, 23, and Josh Forrest, 24, lost their "beautiful daughter" Willow Poppy Forrest in November 2024, a tragedy that has been ruled as Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).
A Normal Night Turns to Tragedy
On the evening of November 11, 2024, Ella put Willow to bed as usual after a day where the toddler had shown a slightly elevated temperature that returned to normal with medication. Willow enjoyed a bath, splashing and singing nursery rhymes, appearing completely healthy. Ella checked the baby monitor several times overnight, noticing nothing amiss.
In the morning, however, when Ella went to wake Willow, she did not respond. "I thought she was just messing about at first," Ella recalled. After calling her name multiple times with no reply, Ella rushed to her daughter, finding her unresponsive. She screamed for her sister to call an ambulance while performing CPR.
Willow was blue-lighted to King's Mill Hospital, where medical professionals confirmed she had died that morning. Ella, who was transported in a police vehicle, had to break the devastating news to Josh over the phone.
Search for Answers Leads to SUDI Diagnosis
A post-mortem examination and further testing later ruled Willow's cause of death as Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI). This term is used for children under 24 months when death remains unexplained after thorough investigation. The couple underwent genetic testing, but results came back normal, offering no clues.
Ella described Willow as a "bubbly, clever and really cheeky" child who had everyone "wrapped around her finger." Born on June 4, 2023, with no complications, Willow had no significant health issues beyond a common case of hand, foot and mouth disease. She loved dancing, watching Nottingham Forest Football Club matches with her father, and her favourite book, We're Going On A Bear Hunt.
Coping with Unimaginable Grief
In the aftermath, Ella and Josh received a 4Louis memory box to store keepsakes and visited Willow daily in the mortuary, reading her stories. She was buried in December 2024 with cherished possessions, including her favourite elephant blanket, a pink bunny toy, and her Crocs.
"It was just a blur, the whole day was surreal," Ella said of the funeral. "Seeing how many people were there to say their goodbyes, that's what set me off and it hit me – this is real." The couple have left Willow's snacks in the cupboard and her water bottle in the fridge, memorialising her space at home.
Raising Awareness Through Action
Determined to honour Willow's memory, Ella returned to university to complete her nursing degree, graduating in September 2025. Now, the couple are preparing to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April to raise awareness and funds for the charity SUDC UK, with a target of £3,000.
SUDC UK states that Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) affects about 40 children in the UK annually, with deaths remaining unpredictable and unpreventable by parents or medical professionals currently. For infants under 24 months, the term SUDI is often used interchangeably.
"We had never heard of SUDC until it happened to us," Ella explained. "But we just want every child to be remembered and for the message to be put across. We will never stop talking about Willow."
Pascale Harvie of JustGiving praised Ella's resilience, stating: "Ella's decision to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon is a deeply moving tribute to Willow's memory. By championing the work of SUDC UK, she is turning her personal grief into a lifeline for other families."
The couple emphasise leaning on each other and family for support, acknowledging that grief "sneaks up on you when you least expect it." Their story highlights the profound impact of SUDI and the ongoing need for research and awareness to support affected families.
