A mother whose two triplets died mysteriously was hit by fresh heartbreak today after her brother was found dead just before his birthday.
Sarah Owen, 29, was left ‘numb with shock’ when father-of-five Steve Owen died of a suspected heart attack on Wednesday – ten days after the deaths of her five-month-old boys Noah and Charlie.
Single mother Sarah was heard screaming ‘my babies, my babies’ as she clutched surviving triplet Ethan to her chest in the street outside her home in Bridgend on Saturday September 23.
Friends said Sarah and her family were unable to comprehend the treble tragedy in just 10 days.
Steve, who would have been 32 today, was in tears when his nephews died in their sleep and had been suffering chest pains before his sudden death.
Sarah Owen, 29, was left ‘numb with shock’ when father-of-five Steve Owen died of a suspected heart attack – ten days after the deaths of her five-month-old boys Noah and Charlie (pictured with their surviving brother Ethan)
Paramedics rushed to her rented home in Bridgend, South Wales and took the triplets to hospital where two – Charlie and Noah – were pronounced dead
Father-of-five Steve Owen (pictured with with former Swansea City captain Ashley Williams) has been found dead on the eve of his 32nd birthday
He put a picture of the two little boys on his Facebook page and helped raise money for their funerals.
But before the funerals have been held Steve was found dead on the settee of his home in Bridgend, South Wales.
Neighbours said he was having chest pains but didn’t go to the doctor because he was busy comforting Sarah over the loss of her two boys.
Family friend Rachel Jones said on Facebook: ‘I can’t imagine what your all going through so soon after the tragic loss of the babies.’
Police are still investigating the deaths of five-months-old Noah and Charlie on Saturday September 23.
A family friend said: ‘Steve died just 10 days after his two nephews.
‘Sarah can’t believe it, she’s just numb with the shock of it all.
‘The whole family can’t comprehend what has happened in such a short space of time.
‘Apparently he’s been having chest pains but ignored it because of everything that was going on with the babies.’
Police say the double death death is being treated as a ‘tragic accident’ and an investigation is underway
The two baby triplets were found dead in their home after being killed by what was initially thought to be carbon monoxide poisoning in their sleep
Steve was a lifelong Swansea City fan and loved to take his two eldest boys to Premiership matches.
The sales assistant at Poundstretcher had been photographed with his hero Ashley Williams of Wales and Everton.
His younger brother Dean said on Facebook: ‘Today I lost not just my big brother but my best friend.
‘This world is not going to be the same without you mate.
‘I know you are looking down on me and telling me to man up but I can’t help it.’
Sarah was being looked after by her mother Jane Owen who has lost her son and two grandchildren.
Carbon monoxide poisoning has been ruled out in the investigation to discover what killed the two baby boys.
Tests are being carried out to discover if they died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.