Sarah Parish Mourning Death of Daughter Ella-Jayne

Chris Joseph/Landmark Media/JPI

In sad news, Ella-Jayne Murray — the 8-month-old daughter of UK stars Sarah Parish and James Murray — has died after succumbing to complications from a congenital heart defect.

Sarah and James were made aware of the condition while Sarah, 40, was still pregnant, and Ella-Jayne — affectionately dubbed ‘E-J’ by her parents — was ultimately born five weeks premature via emergency C-Section. The delivery was later described as “traumatic” by James, for Ella-Jayne was immediately whisked off for her first of two surgeries to repair the condition, consisting of a hole in her heart. Despite the scary circumstances of her birth, in an interview last summer James, 33, credited his daughter for giving the couple a newfound “perspective on what’s important in life.” He went on to add,

“You can never plan anything in life, and never take anything for granted.”

Ella-Jayne died at her parents’ Hampshire, England, home last week. The couple are said to be ”devastated” by the loss, according to a statement from Sarah’s spokeswoman, who adds “it’s been very hard for them both.”

Ella-Jayne is their first child. Sarah and James have set up a fundraising page in honor of their daughter at Just Giving.

Source: The Sun

Thanks to CBB readers Rachael, Katrina, Chloe and Natasha.

Comments

My heart goes out to both parents.

- Louise on January 20th, 2009

This is so, so tragic. My thoughts and prayers are with Sarah and James at this unthinkably hard time.

- Chloe on January 20th, 2009

My prayers are with this family at this hard time. I am so sorry for your loss:(

- Terry on January 20th, 2009

What devastating news – there is nothing anyone can do to make it better but I hope peoples kind words and thoughts go someway to comforting them. My heart goes out to Sarah, James and both their families xxx

- angela on January 20th, 2009

That’s absolutely tragic and heartbreaking to read about.

My heart goes out to both James and Sarah.

- Chel on January 20th, 2009

So Sad to read this, my heart goes out to them.x

- Ashley on January 20th, 2009

I’m so sorry. My prayers are with you and your family.

- Amber on January 20th, 2009

How tragic. I hope that the family is able to remember all of the joy that Ella-Jayne brought to their lives during her short lifetime.

- Ashley on January 20th, 2009

No, no, no, no no! It’s not fair. I can’t barely comment on it.

- Kellie on January 20th, 2009

oh i hate to hear when a child passes away.i’m sure they are very grateful for the time they spent with their angel.i will say a prayer for them.no one should ever have to bury a child.

- Tan on January 20th, 2009

What a blessing that they got to have their precious girl for 8 months. I’m sure she was beautiful, as is her name Ella-Jayne.

- Anna on January 20th, 2009

My heart goes out to Sarah & James,no parents derserves this. Its so tragic, R*I*P Ella-Jayne. God has gained an angel. xx

- Amy on January 20th, 2009

oh, god. i know that pain. i am so sorry about sweet e-j.

- M on January 20th, 2009

oh wow, this is just so wrong. no parent should have to bury their child, especially an infant. my heart goes out to little e-j’s poor parents. i hope they can find some comfort in the precious memories of their little angel.

- Sarah on January 20th, 2009

How could they be anything other than ‘devastated’? The worst thing in the world is losing someone close to you. As a mom I couldn’t imagine losing my child. My heart goes out to them and their family. I agree that no parent should have to bury their child

- J on January 20th, 2009

Oh I know what that’s like. Its so heart wrenching when I hear about other parents who have had to deal with the death of their babies. I will be praying for their whole family.

- Natalie on January 20th, 2009

This is such a tragedy – as is the death of any child. My thoughts are with the family. R.I.P. little Ella-Jayne…

- Kat on January 20th, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with Sarah and James as they go through this difficult time in their lives. May they find comfort in their memories of their little angel.

- Jennifer on January 20th, 2009

How terribly, terribly tragic. Something like this is every parents’ worst nightmare, I know I’ll be hugging my little ones a bit tighter tonight after reading this. It just makes me realise how lucky I am that my boys are healthy. My heart goes out to Sarah & James. May God bless you xxxx

- Emma on January 20th, 2009

Little Ella-Jayne’s time was so terribly short.I’m sure her parents and family gave all the affection and tender moments it was in them to give a baby angel who is now above.

- eva on January 20th, 2009

I’m so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with Sarah and James.

- Jenna on January 20th, 2009

Words cannot describe what they must be feeling right now. I lost my son at 3.5 months and a day does not go by where I feel profound sadness. She is an angel in heaven and my prayers are with her family.

- Something About Baby on January 20th, 2009

Even though I don’t know this couple, I am so sorry for their loss. I wish them God speed.

- Rosy J on January 21st, 2009

that breaks my heart. :’(

- eliz on January 21st, 2009

So sad.

- Jac on January 21st, 2009

Rest in Paradise, little one xxx

- Jess on January 21st, 2009

I read this in the newspapers here and although I knew Sarah had a baby, I had no idea she was so sick. This is such awful news. I think your heart just sinks when you hear about the death of a child, it’s not the way things are supposed to go. My heart goes out to the whole family, there will be so many people hurting right now. Bless little Ella-Jayne, she is an angel now.

- Alex on January 21st, 2009

This is awful news, Sarah always comes as such a lovely woman who was so pleased to finally become a mother I can’t begin to imagine how they are feeling now but my thoughts are with them.

- Bumbles on January 21st, 2009

Awwwh this is so horrible, my prayers go out to the family.

- Melanie F. on January 21st, 2009

I know they probably don’t read this… but my sympathies go out to both parents. I can’t imagine the heartbreak.

- jess on January 21st, 2009

She is one of my favorite actresses. I am very sorry for her loss.

- Ellen Smith on January 21st, 2009

Blessings to this family. My prayers are with them and little Ella-Jayne. May she be resting in heavenly peace.

- jk on January 21st, 2009

Play safely in the clouds Ella Jayne. From one parent of a baby who was taken from us far to soon to another- i am so sorry you have to feel this pain too. No words can help right now, i know that only too well, but wanted to express how truly sorry i am. Ella Jayne will live on in your hearts & through your memories of her, which you will keep alive forever. Love to you all at this unbearable time x x

- paula whittaker on January 21st, 2009

I know the awful pain of losing a baby, something no parents should have to go through, you lose a complete lifetime of “should have beens”. I’m so sorry for them, she was a beautiful little girl who was clearly loved very much. “Devastated” doesn’t even come close to the feelings you have when your child dies. Sending them lots of love.xxx

- Louise (angel Louis' mummy) on January 21st, 2009

Oh my god! No!

- judew on January 21st, 2009

My thoughts are with you at this awful time, no words can express
From one heart baby mummy to another,,, Lots of Love and Strength
Tracy xx

- Tracy Sobey on January 23rd, 2009

My partner and i were on the same ward as Sarah,James and Ella-Jayne with our daughter Ellie in May 2008, Ellie had just had her open heart surgery at 7 weeks and E J was in the bed opposite her. I dont know what it is like to lose a child but i do know what it is like to feel so usless and unable to help your precious little bundle and not being able to make it all go away. My partner and I have thought have nothing else since we heard the news and thank god that we still have our beautiful baby girl, our love to you all xxxxx

- lisa on January 26th, 2009

So terribly sad, so sorry :{ – I pray that you will find comfort and strength in each other. xxxxx

- Dee on January 30th, 2009

So terrible sorry to hear this dreadful news. My thoughts are with Sarah , James & their families

- Frances on January 31st, 2009

I am so sorry about your loss and my thoughts are with you both. You will always have your memories in your heart and you will never forget what a delight E J was to have. My little girl hannah was born 7 years ago with congenital heart defects and had open heart surgery at 6 days old with a 30% chance to live thankfully she pulled through and is a pleasure to have in my life.

- angela doran on February 4th, 2009

Reading about poor baby Ella – Jayne has made me cry but i feel comforted that she got to spend quality time in her short life with her doting parents and to feel unconditional love. My heart goes out to you all and i hope that your fundraising goes really well to enable other parents in similar situations to spend precious moments with their babies

- becky on February 10th, 2009

I have only just learned of Ella-Jayne’s death, and it has upset me so much, I love Sarah and James and was so happy for them! I know that they will have some lovely happy memories of Ella-jayne and I know she will be with them forever more and waiting for them to join her some day! I pray that they get through this and are able to be happy again, I’m sure little Ella-Jayne would want them to be happy! God Bless little one!!

- Rachel on February 15th, 2009

I AM SO SHOCKED MY SON WAS IN SOUTHAMPTON AT THE SAME TIME AS ELLA JAYNE.SEEING POORLY CHILDREN IS SO HEARTWRENCHING.MY BABY WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHAMPTON PICU AT 1 DAY OLD FOR LIFE SAVING HEART OPERATIONS.MY HEART GOES OUT TO THEM.

- NATASHA on March 2nd, 2009

I am so truly devasted for you facing this, I hope you are looking forward to life. My beautiful daughter was born with a serious heart defect too, but was not detected until she was 20 months old, by which time she had an enlarged heart and months to live. She luckily syrvived her 1st surgery and we are awaiting her 2nd. She is also a stroke survivor after having a stroke after her 1st surgery. Read her story BY GOOGLING ‘DAISY PRITCHARD PENYCAE WREXHAM’.I will be thinking of you.

- EILEEN PRITCHARD on June 26th, 2009

I too have just lost my beautiful baby Hannah, she was 3 months old. She had a syndrome called Trisomy13, the chromosome disorders are very similar, with many complications. She would stop breathing and turn blue and have many seizures, seeing her in pain was just the worst thing in the world. She’s not in any pain anymore. We were so lucky to have met her and to see the love she created in everyone. We had 3 lovely months to make memories, of which we will now cherish forever. My other daughter misses her little sis and we miss our baby girl. These babies are very special and affect everyone around them in a wonderful way. We’ll all get through these sad times…. X

- ClaireE on October 26th, 2009