Aussie woman dies suddenly in front of family 'while playing cards'
Dani Duchatel had surgery for a broken leg a month ago, with doctors believing a blood clot from her surgery could be behind her death.
A Brisbane woman has died suddenly in front of her parents while playing cards in their home.
Daniella ‘Dani’ Duchatel, 26, had been staying with her parents in Cashmere, northeast of Brisbane, after having surgery for a broken leg several weeks earlier.
On the night of Sunday, May 21, Dani had dinner with her family and was playing a game of cards when she went into cardiac arrest, prompting her mother to desperately perform CPR, the North Lakes Times reported.
Dani couldn’t be saved, with doctors believing a blood clot from her leg surgery travelled to her lung, causing a pulmonary embolism.
Her death comes just two months after the passing of her grandmother in March.
Tributes flow after Dani’s tragic death
Dani’s mother Kay confirmed her daughter’s passing on Facebook. “It is with the greatest sadness that I inform you all that our daughter Daniella Jade Duchatel passed away peacefully last night," she wrote. "We will update you all with funeral details in the coming days.”
Her aunt Sharon Glover also penned a heartfelt tribute alongside a photo of her niece.
“Of all the many blessings I've had in this world the greatest one was the honour of being your aunt,” she wrote.
“The tears on my face I can wipe away but the ache in my heart will last forever. Fly high my darling girl love you always.”
Ms Duchatel had last year become a homeowner, sharing to her Facebook page she had purchased an apartment in Albion in Brisbane’s north.
“I am so excited and nervous to start this new chapter!!!” she wrote at the time.
Funds raised to support Dani’s family
A GoFundMe page started by family friend Chantelle Lay has raised more than $15,000 in just three days.
“The family is absolutely devastated and will be taking quite some time off work,” she told the North Lakes Times.
Ms Lay, who had known Dani for 10 years, described her as “quiet but vibrant”, “funny”, “kind”, and a “real gentle soul”.
“She was the kind of person who would do anything to help anyone and was very loving and supportive of everyone,” she said.
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