Beth Martin, a mother of two from Portsmouth, England, has not returned from her vacation in Turkey, which began on April 27. A sudden illness during the flight turned into a heartbreaking tragedy that has left her family in shock. This has led to serious allegations of medical negligence and even accusations of attempted poisoning. A particularly shocking revelation emerged: her body was sent back to the UK without her heart.
The trip commenced with her husband, Luke, and their children, aged eight and five. During the flight, 28-year-old Beth reported feeling unwell with an upset stomach. Her condition quickly worsened, and by the following morning, April 28, she was found in a state of delirium.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Beth was swiftly taken to a hospital where, according to family friends, she was “sedated and subjected to invasive tests” without any updates being provided to her husband. The next day, she underwent an angiography at a different hospital, which revealed no heart issues. Tragically, she passed away just hours later.
Lack of Communication
The family has expressed frustration over the hospital’s lack of transparency: they received no updates, had visiting restrictions, and faced barriers when trying to engage a private treatment facility covered by their travel insurance. Reports indicate that police arrived at the family’s hotel with a document stating Beth’s death occurred at 9 am, even though she was still on life support at that time.
Luke Martin was initially charged with poisoning his wife but was later cleared. During his testimony, he emphasized that he had promptly alerted medical personnel about Beth’s penicillin allergy.
Body Returned Without Heart
The final shocking twist came when her body was returned to the UK; British coroners discovered that her heart was missing. The family claims they were not informed and had not consented to this. Although Turkish authorities can remove organs for examination without consent, the lack of notification raises significant concerns.
Beth’s family and friends have initiated a campaign demanding accountability. Ellie Gray, a close friend, stated that Beth “was not respected in life or death.” Robert Hammond, who set up a GoFundMe campaign, vividly describes the “nightmare” the family has faced, from financial pressures imposed by Turkish authorities to the transfer of Beth’s body conducted by her husband and mother.
Investigation into Medical Negligence
The hospital that treated Beth is reportedly under investigation for medical negligence, while the family awaits the final autopsy results. However, they might have to wait some time, as the British Coroner’s inquest could take up to six months.
The GoFundMe campaign has so far raised over £150,000. Luke, amidst his grief, shared a heartfelt message: “If there’s one takeaway from this, cherish your loved ones a little longer. Resolve conflicts before sleep. Tell them you love them more often.”
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