Influencer Melissa Mae Carlton has opened up about the devastating loss of her two daughters in the span of two years, saying she is focused on simply making it through each day.
In a deeply emotional Instagram post shared on June 11, Carlton gave followers an update on how she has been coping after the deaths of her daughters, nine-year-old Abigail and five-year-old Molly.
Molly died on Christmas Day in 2025 after battling PPA2, a rare inherited mitochondrial disorder that can be passed on when both parents are carriers.
Her death came less than two years after Abigail died from sepsis in April 2024.
In her latest post, Carlton shared a photo of the two girls alongside a message to her followers. The text read: “I know I haven’t said much since Christmas Day, but it will come.”
She added: “The last almost six months have felt like trying to survive while drowning.”
She continued that she had been dealing with ‘grief, uncertainty, things I can’t publicly discuss, and challenges that have tested us in every possible way.’
‘There have been some incredibly painful things behind the scenes,’ she continued. ‘But there have also been some incredible things happening too.’
Influencer Melissa Mae Carlton has spoken out after losing two daughters in two years – admitting she is simply trying to get through each day
The influencer added that she has been working behind the scenes on advocacy efforts, awareness initiatives, legislative changes and projects that she believes can help other families.
‘Some of those things will be coming to light soon, and I’m excited to share more when the time is right,’ she said.
The mom admitted that she is finding it hard to be vulnerable on social media, but alluded to wanting to start sharing her life online again.
‘I am beyond grateful for all of your love and support! More soon,’ she concluded.
Carlton revealed Molly’s death on December 26, writing: ‘On Christmas morning, our sweet Molly girl, and her big sister Abi were reunited.
‘This is the only thing giving me even a small sense of comfort. Molly missed her sister so deeply. She would often ask me, “Mummy, when is Jesus coming back so Abi can come down?”‘
‘I feel numb. I cannot yet accept that this is real. I am not ready for this pain,’ she shared at the time.
‘I am scared of what life looks like now for us. I am heartbroken for our children.’
In her recent post, Carlton spoke about how painful it has been to get through each day. Carlton with her children in April 2021
Abi passed away at just nine years old after battling sepsis, while Molly passed away from a heart condition
Melissa, who also shares children Harry and Lily with Tom, says she hopes to start sharing more online again
Carlton also shares daughter Lily and son Harry with her husband, Tom Carlton.
In April 2024, Carlton revealed that her daughter, Abigail, had passed away from sepsis at only nine years old.
‘Our sweet Abigail unexpectedly passed over to the other side on Thursday morning. There are no words to express how heartbroken and devastated we are,’ she wrote at the time.
‘She was the sweetest most loving, generous, funny girl and we feel so grateful that Heavenly Father chose us to raise, teach and protect her until it was time to call her back to him. We will miss her so much here.’
