Heartbreaking Loss: Parents Demand Answers After 3-Year-Old’s Preventable Death

The tragic passing of 3-year-old Ryleigh Hillcoat-Bee has left her family devastated and furious, as they come to terms with the belief that her life could have been saved. The young girl, described as a sweet and vibrant child, succumbed to complications from rhabdomyolysis—a rare condition that causes muscle breakdown—after what her parents allege was a failure in her medical care.

Ryleigh’s condition, which affects approximately one in 200,000 people in the UK, was misdiagnosed during a five-day hospital stay at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Despite exhibiting concerning symptoms, including extreme fatigue, weakness, and “extraordinarily high” levels of Creatine Kinase in her blood—indicative of muscle damage—doctors attributed her illness to either hepatitis or a chest infection. Tragically, no further investigation into the possible neuromuscular cause of her symptoms was undertaken.

Blackpool and Fylde coroner Alan Wilson concluded that critical “red flags” had been overlooked by the medical team. “The hospital was given clear advice… to get specialist advice from a neuromuscular specialist,” noted Diane Rostron, a medical malpractice lawyer advocating for Ryleigh’s family. Rostron argues that had the hospital consulted a specialist, rhabdomyolysis could have been diagnosed, giving the family an opportunity to explore life-saving treatments.

After her release from the hospital, Ryleigh continued to deteriorate. Her parents recall the heartbreak of watching their once lively daughter become tired, sluggish, and unable to move as the disease progressed. Three months after her discharge, Ryleigh passed away.

The family’s grief is compounded by the belief that her death was preventable. “We trusted the doctors to help her, and they failed her,” Ryleigh’s parents shared in a statement. They now hope that shedding light on their daughter’s story will prompt systemic changes in how rare conditions are diagnosed and treated.

The coroner has called for additional evidence from Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, as the family continues to seek answers and justice for Ryleigh.

As the community mourns the loss of this beautiful child, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for diligence in medical care, particularly when rare and complex illnesses are involved. The Hillcoat-Bee family hopes that no other family will endure the same heartache they are facing.

Rest in peace, Ryleigh. May your story inspire change and bring comfort to those who loved you.