'Beautiful' mum-of-three dies suddenly after going to bed and family don't know why

A family is desperate for answers after a healthy mum-of-three died suddenly at her home after she fell asleep.

Tributes have been paid to Rachael Kershaw, 41, who tragically passed away on Monday. Emergency services arrived after her young children raised the alarm, but despite the efforts of paramedics Rachael was pronounced dead at her home in New Brighton, Merseyside.

Her brother Isaac, 35, said: "It was so unexpected. When paramedics turned up, she had already passed. There was no indication of suicide. At this point in time, we don't know what happened to her. A post mortem has been done, but we haven't received the results yet." It comes after the NHS warns mouth symptom could be life-shortening disease.

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"At the age of 41, it's just shocking. She had no history of illness or pre-existing conditions that we were aware of. She'd just spoken to my mum on the phone at around 11pm on Sunday night. They had a lovely conversation and said they loved each other, and then she went to bed.", he told the Liverpool Echo.

"Her two youngest children, Bobby and Bessie, who are nine and seven, tried to wake her in the morning and she wouldn't wake up, so Bobby rang 999. And then everything fell apart after that." Describing the impact of her sudden loss, Isaac added: "We were all really close with Rach. We're a really tight-knit family. You couldn't ask for a more unified, loving family.

"She was immensely vivacious. She lived by the mantra of children first. She always put the interests of her children at the heart of everything she did. She lived for her children. She lit up every room she walked into with her bubbly character and beautiful smile.

"She was just such a beautiful person inside and out. Her children were her entire world, they were her purpose. I'm still processing everything that's happened over the last few days. It's just shocking."

In a statement, her family said: "It is with shattering grief we announce the sudden passing of our beautiful Rachael on Monday, 11 August 2025, aged 41. Rachael was a devoted mother to Jack, Bobby, and Bessie, a beloved daughter to Ruth and Martin, and a cherished sister to Matthew, Rachael, Joseph, Isaac, and Anthony.

"Undeniably and immensely vivacious, Rachael had a golden heart and lived by the mantra 'children first', placing the happiness and well-being of her children at the centre of all she did. She always faced life with steely determination whilst being fiercely and admirably independent, lighting up every room she walked in with her exquisite smile.

"Rachael was – and always will be – deeply loved and cherished by all her family and friends. We are utterly bereft and heartbroken. The family kindly requests privacy as we begin the unimaginable journey of moving forward without the vibrant light that was our beautiful Rachael."

A crowdfunder has now been launched by the family to raise funds in support of Rachael's children, aiming to bring them "comfort, joy, or opportunities for the future." Those wishing to contribute can do so here.