The family of a young woman from Queensland is seeking answers following the tragic death of Olivia Harlow, who passed away just eight days after losing her unborn baby.
Olivia, 25, died on June 24 after multiple visits to the hospital for severe headaches. Her family claims she was sent home each time without proper treatment.
Stefanie Harlow, Olivia’s sister-in-law, spoke to the Daily Mail about the ordeal. Olivia, who was 34 weeks pregnant, initially went to Royal Brisbane Hospital with headaches and blurred vision. She was sent home with advice to rest. Two weeks later, on June 16, she returned to the hospital after noticing her baby was no longer moving. Tragically, she was informed that her daughter had died.
Olivia stayed in the hospital for a few days after giving birth, but was discharged despite ongoing severe headaches. Stefanie recounted how Olivia returned to the hospital days later with intense headaches but was dismissed again, told she was likely stressed from her recent trauma.
The following day, Olivia was found unresponsive by her partner, Ryan Stephenson. She was rushed to the hospital on life support. Doctors discovered tumors in her brain, one of which was nearly the size of two golf balls. Olivia was declared brain-dead, and her life support was turned off on June 24.
Her family is now left in shock, grappling with the sudden loss of a woman they describe as fit and healthy. They are seeking answers to understand how her condition deteriorated so quickly.
“This has been a huge shock and has taken a toll on the family,” Stefanie wrote on a GoFundMe page created to help with expenses. “Olivia was the most caring and loving mother, partner, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend anyone could have asked for.”
The fundraising page aims to raise funds for Olivia and her unborn daughter’s funeral and to ease the financial burden on Ryan, allowing him time to grieve and support their young daughter Evaliah during this difficult period.
