A Sydney father has shared a heartfelt tribute to his wife who died in her sleep just hours after testing positive for COVID-19.
Health worker Melanie Leffler had received four shots against the virus, but after suffering from “a bit of a sore throat and a runny nose” on November 19, she had a rapid Covid test.
The mum-of-two tested positive but “felt fine” before saying goodnight to her family.
Her husband Mick Hogan and daughters Clemmie, 4, and Lottie, 9 months, had no idea it would be the last time they would speak to her.
The 39-year-old tragically died in her sleep that night. His sudden death left his family reeling.
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have to announce this to you via social media,” Mick wrote on Facebook.
“My beloved wife and mother of two beautiful children, Mel Leffler, sadly passed away in her sleep this morning.
“He tested positive for Covid last night with a rat test, but just had a runny nose and a bit of a sore throat. Other than that, he was fine.”
Melanie’s father Wayne described his daughter as a “beautiful, intelligent and loving person”, adding that he and her mother Roz were “deeply shocked and saddened” by her death.
“Roz and I lost our beautiful, intelligent and loving 39-year-old daughter, Mel, overnight,” she wrote in a moving Facebook post.
“To say we are shocked and deeply saddened would be an understatement. Suddenly, nothing else matters in life other than ensuring the support and well-being of Mick and our 2 beautiful granddaughters.
“No child should die before their parents. It’s just not right.
“I woke up hoping Mel’s death was just a bad dream. I’ve never felt so low. We’re devastated – things will never be the same.”
Melanie’s cause of death has yet to be confirmed by a coroner’s report, but her brother Kris Leffler strongly believes it was heart-related.
He also revealed that Melanie was inspired to study medical science after a bout with Wilms’ tumor, a rare kidney cancer that mainly affects children, left her with only one kidney.
While dying with Covid doesn’t necessarily mean it was the cause of death, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease, can have an impact on the heart.
“The SARS-CoV-2 virus can directly invade the body causing inflammation,” University of Sydney Professor of Medicine Garry Jennings explained to the conversation
“This can affect the heart, causing myocarditis and pericarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle or the outer lining of the heart.
“Inflammation from Covid can also cause blood to clot, which can block an artery in the heart or brain causing a heart attack or stroke.
“Covid can also cause abnormal heart rhythms, blood clots in the legs and lungs, and heart failure.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to financially support widower Mick and his two daughters, with the page saying “Mel’s beautiful soul will live on forever in his two beloved girls.”
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