Family heartbroken as 'beautiful' girl dies from rare genetic disorder three years after brother

Isabelle Cooper, from Lancaster, died in the early hours of Thursday less than a year after she was diagnosed with the same rare genetic disorder as her sibling Alexander

A heartbroken mother has shared a poignant tribute to her "beautiful" daughter, who tragically died three years after the sudden loss of her son.

Isabelle Cooper passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning (September 19), succumbing to the same rare genetic disorder that claimed the life of her brother Alexander. He was just three years old when he died unexpectedly after feeling "a bit unwell" on Boxing Day 2021.

Dr Emily Cooper, a lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, took to social media to express her grief: "We are devastated to say that our beautiful Isabelle died in the early hours of this morning. We are absolutely broken. However, we want you all not to think of her death, but to honour her by living life as she did: fearlessly, joyously and spontaneously."

For nearly two years, the cause of Alexander's death remained a mystery, with little indication that anything was amiss. The toddler had enjoyed Christmas with his family in Lancaster, appearing to be in good health.

He spent Christmas Day unwrapping gifts and dancing with his younger brother Freddie to the Masked Singer. Tragically, the day after Christmas, emergency services were called to their home, reports Lancs Live.

Alexander was rushed to the hospital but passed away that evening. In the wake of their son's death, his grieving parents have been actively raising awareness about sudden unexplained deaths in children, supporting the charity Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood UK.

For almost two years, the family had no explanation for the sudden death of their son Alexander until doctors last year determined he suffered from a rare genetic disorder, PPA2 mutation, carried by both his mother and father, Darren Bowes. Heartbreakingly, this also put their other three children at risk, and after tests it was determined that Isabelle suffered from the same condition.

Armed with new knowledge and gifted with a defibrillator for emergency situations, the family at the time of Isabelle's diagnosis committed to protecting their daughter by making lifestyle adjustments including abstinence from alcohol and avoidance of vinegar and stomach bugs. Emily posted regular updates about her concerns, and emphasised the importance of the message of learning CPR and how to use a defibrillator.

Isabelle had been feeling unwell in the days leading up to her death, having been hospitalised due to a bout of vomiting, but was discharged on Monday. Tragically, she passed away in the early hours of Thursday.