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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Abigail Nicholson

Heartbroken dad leads tributes to 'princess Missy' after death

A heartbroken dad has led tributes to his partner, who died after collapsing in Turkey Airport.

Melissa Kinsella, collapsed after suffering a seizure while on holiday with partner, Jay Smith, his family and their three children, Chloe, nine, Beau, four, and Romi, two. The 30-year-old, from Moreton, was due to fly home on Monday, May 15 but was instead rushed to hospital. Doctors told her family she had swelling on her brain and heart.

Melissa was taken to intensive care in a coma and was unable to breathe for herself. A GoFundMe campaign has been raised to cover medical costs, as Melissa did not have medical travel insurance.

READ MORE: Trial collapsed after disgraced police officer researched defendant

Thanks to generous donations, Melissa was flown home via air ambulance from Turkey on Wednesday, May 24. But on Friday, May 26 her devastated mum, Michelle Heathcote, posted an update to say Melissa had been declared clinically dead.

She said: "Our hearts are broken forever after 12 days of fighting for our beautiful daughter's life test proves she is clinically dead. We have no words to express how we feel but thank everyone who helped us in any way to bring her home."

A closure family friend confirmed to The ECHO Melissa has died. Thousands of people have paid tribute to Missy since her family released the public update. Her partner, Jay Smith, posted a heart breaking tribute on Facebook on Friday evening (May 26).

It included a video full of images of Melissa, Jay and her children along with the caption "no words" with a broken heart emoji. Tributes continued on social media with Melissa's cousin, Shelley Grattan, who said: "Gonna miss u cuz, shine bright tonight and always. Till we meet in heaven princess Missy. Xxx"

Melissa Kinsella, from Moreton, with her partner Jay Smith and two children (Handout)

Rebecca Dath, Melissa's best friend and the person who set up a GoFundMe to fly her back from Turkey, said: "I can’t believe I’m never going to hear your voice again (other than voice notes that I’ll cherish forever). I’m never going to get one of those phone calls that I’ve prayed for the past 12 days.

"I am absolutely heartbroken, for your family, your girls, your friends. I’m going to miss that dirty laugh, the disgusting stories with too much information.

"The absolute anger at any small inconvenience and the best friend that would always encourage me to fly off the handle and you’d be there to back me up. I’ll never have a best friend like you again because you were one in a million."

Jourden Hankin said: "Rip beautiful lady absolutely devastated for all your family an your three beautiful girls an your partner, fly high an be the brightest star in the sky."

Catherine Titherington Bragg: "Makes my stupid problems just vanish into thin air. When you wake up and think the world's on your shoulders and read something like this? I'm so sorry... Sorry for her partner, her babies, her Mum and Dad and family. This is just heartbreaking, something you just can't fix. I know it really doesn't mean anything but truly, I'm sending love and strength xx

Jenny Bridge said: "God this is so incredibly sad. Why is life so bloody cruel. Her poor babies, family an friends. Just heartbreaking. Life is so limited we honestly have no idea what is around the corner. We literally have to treasure every min. May she rest in peace sending love an prays to all her family xx"

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