Tributes paid to Merseyside mum declared 'clinically dead' after collapsing at Turkish airport

The young mum was flown back to the UK earlier this week

Melissa Kinsell
Author: Jodie SmithPublished 28th May 2023
Last updated 28th May 2023

A young mum-of-three from Merseyside who collapsed on at a Turkish airport has been declared "clinically dead", her family has said.

Melissa Kinsell, known as 'Missy' to family and friends, was on her way home from a family holiday with her husband and children when she suffered a seizure and collapsed.

A GoFundMe was set up by her friend to help pay the hospital fees abroad, which totalled £1,800 a day, plus an air ambulance to get her back home.

More than £50,000 was raised and she was flown back to the UK on 24 May.

Michelle Heathcote, her mother, posted on Facebook: "Our hearts are broken forever.

"After 12 days of fighting for our beautiful daughter's life, tests prove she is clinically dead. We have no words to express how we feel but thank everyone who helped us in any way to bring her home."

Ms Kinsella's friend Rebecca Dath, who set up the fundraiser, also posted a tribute on social media.

She wrote: "I can't believe I'm never going to hear your voice again (other than voice notes that I'll cherish forever)."

"I'm never going to get one of those phone calls that I've prayed for the past 12 days. I am absolutely heartbroken for your family, your girls, your friends.

"I'm going to miss that dirty laugh, the disgusting stories with too much information.

"The absolute anger at any small inconvenience and the best friend that would always encourage me to fly off the handle and you'd be there to back me up.

"I'll never have a best friend like you again because you were one in a million. I love you."

Hear all the latest news from across Merseyside on the hour, every hour, on 96.7FM, DAB, at radiocity.co.uk, and on the Radio City app.