A much-loved Perth mother who died suddenly two days after giving birth is being remembered as caring, funny, smart and beautiful by her heartbroken family.
Hannah Camplin and her partner Mark Hutchings, a former West Coast premiership player, had been soaking up time with their newborn daughter Sofia when Ms Camplin suffered a cardiac arrest in hospital on September 9, The West Australian revealed.
Ms Camplin, 36, had enjoyed a straightforward pregnancy and birth and the unexplained, inexplicable tragedy has left her devastated loved ones looking for answers.
Sign up to The Nightly’s newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.
Hutchings announced the loss of his “beautiful partner” this week, saying it had been her dream to become a mother.
“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 on social media.
“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.”
Ms Camplin was a dedicated and passionate ICU nurse at Royal Perth Hospital and was also part of the RPH trauma research unit.
Her sister, Lucy Heke, spent precious time with Ms Camplin and Sofia in hospital and said she was besotted with her new daughter.
“Sofia is absolutely beautiful, and Hannah had taken to motherhood like a duck to water, she just looked very happy and content,” she said.
She said investigations were continuing to ascertain how her “kind, smart and funny” sister had died.
“The initial investigation was inconclusive, it could be a year before they can get the full reasoning as to what happened,” she said.
In the meantime, the family was taking solace in Sofia and rallying around Hutchings as he navigated fatherhood.
“Us, and Mark’s family, and are supporting each other and supporting Mark,” Mrs Heke said.
Hutchings’ moving tribute on social media prompted a flood of support from loved ones and fans.
The 35-year-old played 120 games for West Coast, including the 2018 premiership, before his retirement in 2021.
His former club has extended its ongoing support.
Hutchings, who has since moved into a career in real estate after retiring from the AFL, received hundreds of messages from past and present players and their partners.
“You’ll be the best Dad for your beautiful daughter . . . we got you,” his former teammate Nic Naitanui wrote.
Courtney Darling wrote “been thinking of you everyday Hutch, no words will ever be enough . . . praying for you and your beautiful Sofia.”
Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox, WA soccer star Samantha Kerr and former Eagles’ players Scott Selwood, Chris Masten, Elliot Yeo and Mark Le Cras also offered their condolences.
Hutchings’ close friend, Perth businessman Jarred Briotti, also became a father recently and shared via Instagram how proud he was of his mate.
“Words can’t describe the past 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 . . . Hannah would be looking down smiling, knowing how much you’ve got this.”
Mr Briotti said their son was born three weeks before Sofia, and the two couples had been looking forward to embarking on parenthood together.
He said Hannah was a lovely and caring person who would be deeply missed, and Hutchings was being supported by his friends and family.
The couple had been together for several years, and Hutchings had previously shared photos of them on overseas adventures and attending Eagles games in Perth.
