Former AFL player Mark Hutchings’ partner has died suddenly after suffering a cardiac arrest just two days after giving birth to their daughter, Sofia.
Hannah Camplin, a 36-year-old intensive care nurse, had experienced a healthy pregnancy and an uncomplicated birth before she died at a Perth hospital on September 9.
The new mother was reportedly delighted with her baby girl and had fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a parent when she went into cardiac arrest without warning.
Her death has left Hutchings, a former West Coast Eagles premiership player, and Ms Camplin’s family struggling to understand how a healthy young mother could die so suddenly.
Hutchings waited two weeks before sharing the devastating news publicly, using that time to care for their newborn daughter while processing his own grief.
He announced Ms Camplin’s death in an emotional tribute to his “beautiful partner”, writing that becoming a mother had always been her dream.
“It is with deep sadness that I share the sudden loss of my beautiful partner, Hannah … 2 days following the birth of our daughter, Sofia,” he wrote.
“I am shattered. Her dream was to become a Mum, so it’s been incredibly difficult to take.”
“Sofia and I love you and will miss you very much Hannah.”
Hannah Camplin, 36, had experienced a healthy pregnancy and straightforward birth before her sudden death at a Perth hospital on September 9
Hutchings shared an emotional tribute to his “beautiful partner”, revealing that becoming a mother had been Ms Camplin’s lifelong dream
Hutchings played 120 matches for West Coast, including the club’s 2018 premiership victory, before retiring from the AFL in 2021 and beginning a career in real estate.
Ms Camplin worked as an intensive care nurse at Royal Perth Hospital and was also involved with the hospital’s trauma research unit.
Her sister, Lucy Heke, visited her in hospital after Sofia’s birth and said Ms Camplin had taken naturally to motherhood.
“Sofia is absolutely beautiful, and Hannah had taken to motherhood like a duck to water. She just looked very happy and content,” she told The West Australian.
Hutchings’ close friend, Perth business owner Jarred Briotti, and his wife Meagan had welcomed their own baby, Tanner, just days before Sofia’s birth.
Ms Camplin and Ms Briotti had been lifelong friends and were excited to raise their children together and watch them grow up side by side.
Mr and Ms Briotti have now promised to support Hutchings in every way possible as he navigates parenthood without Ms Camplin.
Sharing a photograph of the two fathers cradling their babies, Mr Briotti also posted a message on social media telling his best friend how proud he was of him.
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Hutchings’ close friend Jarred Briotti and his wife Meagan welcomed their son, Tanner, just weeks before Sofia was born
Now Mr and Ms Briotti have vowed to remain by Hutchings’ side as he faces parenthood without Ms Camplin
‘Words can’t describe the last few weeks, though this man has taken to being a father like a duck to water,’ he wrote.
‘I am so proud of you, mate.
‘Tanner & Sofia – best mates for life, like us.
‘Hannah would be looking down smiling, knowing how much you’ve got this.’
Ms Camplin’s cousin, Alys, revealed she had been speaking to her only hours before her death.
‘I’m so sorry, I feel this so deep in my soul,’ she wrote beneath Hutchings’ tribute.
‘I was speaking with her just a few hours prior. I can’t stop thinking about her, and you and the baby.
‘Sending love from across the pond. My gorgeous, hilarious and kind cousin will be so sorely missed. Absolutely senseless tragedy.’
The exact cause of Ms Camplin’s sudden death remains a mystery, with her family warned they could face a year-long wait for answers
The 36-year-old will be farewelled at Fremantle Cemetery’s West Chapel on October 8
The exact cause of Ms Camplin’s sudden death remains a mystery, with her family warned they could face a year-long wait for answers.
‘The initial investigation was inconclusive. It could be a year before they can get the full reasoning as to what happened,’ Ms Heke said.
Ms Camplin’s family are now preparing for her funeral.
The 36-year-old will be farewelled at Fremantle Cemetery’s West Chapel on October 8.
For now, the couple’s families have rallied around Hutchings and newborn Sofia.
‘Us, and Mark’s family, are supporting each other and supporting Mark,’ Ms Heke said.
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