Former AFL star Mark Hutchings’ partner died suddenly after suffering a cardiac arrest just two days after giving birth to their baby girl, it has been revealed.
ICU nurse Hannah Camplin, 36, had enjoyed a healthy pregnancy and straightforward birth before her death in a Perth hospital two weeks ago on September 9.
The new mum was said to be besotted with newborn daughter Sofia, achieving her lifelong dream to be a mother, when she went into cardiac arrest without warning.
Her death has devastated the former West Coast Eagles premiership star, as he and Ms Camplin’s family grapple with how a healthy new mother could die so young.
It took two weeks for Hutchings to publicly reveal the tragedy as he cared for their newborn daughter while also coping with his own grief.
Hutchings broke the news in an emotional tribute to his ‘beautiful partner’, revealing that becoming a mother had been Ms Camplin’s 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 enjoyed a healthy pregnancy and straightforward birth before her sudden death in a Perth hospital on September 9
Hutchings broke the news in an emotional tribute to his ‘beautiful partner’, revealing that becoming a mother had been Ms Camplin’s dream
Hutchings played 120 games for West Coast, including the club’s 2018 premiership, before retiring from the AFL in 2021 and moving into a career in real estate.
Ms Camplin was an intensive care nurse at Royal Perth Hospital who also worked with the hospital’s trauma research unit.
Her sister, Amy, told the Daily Mail Ms Camplin had a ‘sudden cardiac arrest’ while still an inpatient post delivery.
‘There was nothing in her pregnancy or delivery to suggest that there would be any complications,’ Amy said.
‘She had a very normal pregnancy.
‘We are all absolutely heartbroken, not only for our own losses but for what Sofia will miss and for what Hannah is missing, as she so very much wanted to be a mum.
‘At the moment, our family is focussing on supporting Mark and Sofia and we have been very grateful for all of the extended family and friends who have stepped up to help all of us through this extremely difficult time.’
Hutchings’ best mate, Perth business owner Jarred Briotti, and his wife Meagan had welcomed their own baby, Tanner, just days before Sofia was born.
Lifelong friends Ms Camplin and Ms Briotti had been looking forward to raising their babies and watching them grow up together.
Now Mr and Ms Briotti have vowed to remain by Hutchings’ side to help him in any way they can as he faces parenthood without Ms Camplin.
Alongside a picture of the two dads cradling their babies, Mr Briotti told his best mate on social media how proud he was of him.
Hutchings’ best mate, Jarred Briotti, and his wife Meagan had welcomed their own baby, 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.
READ MORE: Tragic mum Krystal Pitt, 24, died just 10 days after giving birth to her second child when she suddenly had a heart attack as she queued up at a Perth post office: ‘You never know when your last day will be’
