Lila Marsland was just weeks away from turning six when she was found unresponsive next to her mother, Rachel, 36.
Rachel woke up and realized something was terribly wrong—Lila wasn’t breathing. She immediately called for an ambulance, but it was too late. Paramedics confirmed that the young girl had passed away hours before they arrived.
A Family Searching for Answers
The sudden loss left Rachel and her family devastated. They had no explanation for what had happened. Speaking to Manchester Evening News, she said, “I woke up, and she was gone. The paramedics arrived quickly, but there was nothing they could do.”
The pain of losing her daughter was overwhelming. “It’s hard to believe this happened,” she shared.
Lila was known for her kindness and warm personality. She loved giving hugs to her teachers, often taking extra time to leave school because she wanted to say goodbye to everyone.
A Community Mourns Lila’s Passing
Lila was a student at Flowery Field Primary School in Hyde. Her bright red hair and cheerful spirit made her well-loved by her classmates and teachers.
Rachel said grieving has been difficult because they still don’t know the exact cause of death. “Without answers, it’s hard to process what happened,” she said.
A month after Lila’s passing, her funeral was held. Her entire school attended, along with many others who wanted to pay their respects.
“It was a beautiful farewell,” Rachel said. “We had a horse and carriage, and the church was packed. It was the perfect way to honor her.”
Missing Medical Records Raise Questions
Lila passed away on December 28, 2023. By October 2024, an inquest into her death was opened at Stockport Coroners Court, bringing new concerns.
It was revealed that some of Lila’s medical records in the weeks before her death had gone missing.
The court noted that there was no record of a medical assessment on October 8, 2023, despite evidence that she had been prescribed medication.
Area Coroner Chris Morris called the missing documents a “serious matter” and ordered an investigation to locate them.
The inquest is set to last eight days, an unusually long time, as officials work to uncover what really happened.