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Woman falls to her death after opening Christmas presents with kids

A mum has fallen to her death on Christmas Day just hours after opening presents with her family.

Sharon Anne Daly-O'Dwyer, 51, stepped out to the balcony of her fourth floor Shepherd’s Bush flat in London to have a cigarette when her family heard a loud bang.

Her daughter Taylor Daly-Black, 22, and son Drew Daly, 19, initially thought she may have fallen down stairs however when they went to investigate they were devastated to find her body on the ground in front of the apartment, The Mirror reports.

Sharon Anne Daly-O’Dwayer Christmas family photos before Sharon Daly-O'Dwyer died
Sharon Anne Daly-O'Dwyer, was opening Christmas presents (right) with her children Taylor Daly-Black (left) and Drew Daly (right), minutes later she was dead. Source: GoFundMe

Ms Daly-Black screamed and rushed to her mother’s side, refusing to leave until her body was taken away.

“I ran down to try and help her but it was pretty obvious she had died, she wasn’t breathing and her eyes were open,” Ms Daly-Black told The Mirror.

Daughter’s last words with mum

Mr Daly stayed inside to comfort his one-year-old nephew who had heard the commotion.

Paramedics arrived but it was too late to revive the mum, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

“I held her hand when they stopped the CPR and closed her eyes when they said they couldn’t do anymore. I gave her a kiss and said ‘I love you’,” Ms Daly-Black said.

Taylor Daly-Black (left), Sharon Daly-O'Dwyer  holding her grandson,1, (middle) and Drew (right) smiloing for a family photo.
Taylor Daly-Black (left), Sharon Daly-O'Dwyer holding her one-year-old grandson (middle) and Drew (right). Source: GoFundMe

The grieving family have described their mother as a “beautiful, fun-loving, amazing woman” and shared the last image taken on Christmas Day, moments before the tragedy.

A photo taken earlier that day shows Ms Daly-O'Dwyer smiling with a new bag she received from her daughter as a Christmas present.

The last picture the family took together shows Ms Daly-Black, Ms Daly-O'Dwyer and Drew sitting in the living room smiling.

Sharon Anne Daly-O'Dwyer with her son Drew (left) and alone (right).
Sharon Anne Daly-O'Dwyer with her son Drew (left) and alone (right). Source: GoFundMe

The incident happened an hour before Ms Daly-O'Dwyer was due to visit other family and friends for Christmas Day.

Ms Daly-O'Dwyer the ‘life and soul of Shepherd’s Bush’

Family friend Geordie Dileo, 23, who described Ms Daly-O'Dwyer as a second mother launched a GoFundMe page so her children are able to pay for her funeral.

She was described as “the life and soul of pubs in Shepherd’s Bush and one of the most hard working people Ms Dileo said she knew. However as a consequence of the pandemic the mother had lost her job in March and had been struggling to find employment since.

“We don't have any savings to give her a proper funeral, I won't be able to forgive myself if she doesn't get the send-off she deserves,” Ms Daly-Black told The Mirror.

The fundraising page has already received more than £11,000 ($19,600), with many donations from regulars who were friends with Ms Daly-O'Dwyer.

“Sharon I love you like a second mum and will always do everything I can for Taylor and Drew,” Ms Dileo wrote on the GoFundMe Page.

Ms Dileo hopes it means Ms Daly-Black can move into a new home as the family flat has now become a constant reminder of what happened.

A Met Police spokesperson confirmed they attended the address on Christmas Day about 10.09am and announced the death is not being treated as suspicious.

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