New mother, 34, died in disused stairwell after taking wrong turn on way back to her hospital room from visiting her premature newborn son and wasn’t found for seven hours
- Amanda Cox was discovered at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after giving birth
- The keen darts player was pronounced dead shortly after being found
- A post-mortem examination would be carried out to determine cause of death
- It is understood the 34-year-old collapsed after taking a wrong turn when returning to her room from the neonatal ward
A new mother was found dead in a disused hospital ward seven hours after going missing.
Amanda Cox was still in her pyjamas and slippers when she was discovered at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after giving birth last Thursday.
It is understood the 34-year-old collapsed on Monday after taking a wrong turn when returning to her room from the neonatal ward, where she was thought to be visiting her son.
The keen darts player, who in 2016 reached the final 32 in the Women’s World Masters, was pronounced dead shortly after being found.
Amanda Cox, 34, who was a keen darts player (pictured), was still in her pyjamas and slippers when she was discovered at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after giving birth last Thursday
Amanda Cox, pictured here with husband Michael, is understood the 34-year-old collapsed to have taken a wrong turn when returning to her room from the neonatal ward
Family friends said she gave birth to her son Murray last Thursday.
He was born weighing 3lb 7oz after Mrs Cox suffered from pre-eclampsia, a serious blood pressure condition which affects some women in the latter stages of pregnancy.
It is understood she had been suffering from headaches and was due to see a specialist at the hospital.
Police said they were treating her death as unexplained but not suspicious.
Officers have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
She was reported missing around 3pm on Monday and was found at 10pm the same day.
Police said they were treating Amanda Cox’s (pictured) death as unexplained but not suspicious
Police Scotland said a ‘sudden death’ report had been sent to the procurator fiscal in Edinburgh and a full post-mortem examination would be carried out to determine the cause of death.
Mrs Cox’s family in Peebles were unavailable for comment about her death.
They were said to be devastated at the news and trying to establish exactly what had happened.
A family friend said: ‘Amanda had been suffering headaches even before she had been in hospital for the birth and was due to see a specialist.
‘Apparently she was going back to her room for medication but took a wrong turning and came out of the neonatal ward into a disused ward.
‘They think it was a brain haemorrhage or a stroke or heart attack but we will just have to wait on the post-mortem.’
The friend added: ‘She just had baby Murray last Thursday as a result of having preeclampsia.
‘After transferring from Borders General Hospital Murray seems to be doing OK, although he was just 3lb 7oz when born.’
Former Women’s World Masters champion Deta Hedman posted on social media: ‘Stunned to hear of the passing away of Amanda Cox so young, had many a battle on the oche over the years, my and Paul’s condolences to the family. RIP Amanda.’
A spokesman for Darts Scotland said: ‘So sad to hear the news that Amanda Cox has passed away. Condolences to her family from all at Darts Scotland.’
Amanda Cox (pictured) was still in her pyjamas and slippers when she was discovered at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after giving birth last Thursday
Police Scotland said: ‘We can confirm that missing woman Amanda Cox was discovered collapsed within the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary around 10pm and passed away a short time later.
‘The death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious, and a report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.
‘Our thoughts and sympathies are with Amanda’s family and friends at this time.’
Meanwhile police have launched an investigation into the ‘unexplained’ death of a 15-year-old girl in Edinburgh city centre.
Police said the teenager was reported missing in the early hours of Saturday. A search was launched and she was found dead on Calton Hill a few hours later at 6.30am that day.
Officers said the death was being treated as unexplained and inquiries are continuing.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Police in Edinburgh are investigating following the death of a 15-year-old girl, who was found on Calton Hill around 6.30am on Saturday, December 8.
‘The girl had been reported missing during the early hours of Saturday morning and search activity was under way to trace her prior to the discovery of her body.
‘The death is currently being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing.’
It is thought her school in the city held an assembly in her honour yesterday.