Parents demand answers over daughter's death and missing grandchildren

Grieving parents demand answers over the death of their daughter in a Pakistan hospital – and the disappearance of their grandchildren

• Kelsey Devlin, 27, died after falling ill just one day after arriving in Pakistan
• Her parents have no idea where her two children, aged ten and eight, are

A grieving couple have been left desperately searching for answers after their daughter died suddenly on a trip to Pakistan with her two children, whose location is still unknown 18 months later.

Kelsey Devlin, 27, died in 2021 after flying to Islamabad with children Zara and Zain, after receiving news that her mother-in-law was dying.

But three weeks later she had died in hospital, leaving parents Judy and Sean Devlin, from Burnley, with no answers – and no idea what has happened to their two young grandchildren, 10 and eight.

Ms Devlin had already been buried by the time her parents found out she had died. 

They eventually received a death certificate, but say it contains ‘huge inconsistencies’ and false medical information. 

Kelsey Devlin, 27, died in 2021 after flying to Islamabad with children Zara and Zain, after receiving news that her mother-in-law was dying

The couple now want to exhume her body and get their grandchildren returned to the UK.

Father Sean Devlin, 55, told the Mirror: ‘I’ve lost my little girl and I don’t even know where she is buried. That is barbaric. There are so many unanswered questions about how she died – we just want to bring her home.’

Kelsey flew to Pakistan on June 3, 2021, but was in hospital two days later.

Mother-of-ten Judy, 49, described how they were initially told Kelsey was ill with coronavirus, then sepsis, and that she was in a coma.

They were only able to speak to Kelsey once on a video call in which she described feeling as if her insides were ‘burning’.

The family heard nothing further until July 1, when Kelsey’s ex-partner, who had not accompanied his ex and children to visit his family, messaged sister Chloe and told her she had died during the night.

The only contact the family has had with their grandchildren since was a phone call from Zara, 10, shortly after her mother’s death, in which she reportedly told them she had died.

Mr and Mrs Kelvin repeatedly requested Kelsey’s death certificate for months, before finally being sent a copy – but it only raised more questions.

The only contact the family has had with their grandchildren since was a phone call from Zara, 10, shortly after her mother’s death, in which she reportedly told them she had died

According to the hospital, Kelsey died of sepsis, a stroke and a cardiopulmonary arrest. 

But it also listed her as having epilepsy since birth, said she was married and had converted to Islam, the Mirror reports.

Her parents say none of those details are true – Kelsey was unmarried, not epileptic and was not a follower of Islam. 

They accept she took part in a non-legally binding marriage ceremony while in Pakistan with her partner, but say she was not legally married. 

The death certificate also had the wrong age listed for the 27-year-old.

Her family received a photo of Zara and Zain standing by a grave reported to be their mother’s, but have lost all contact with her ex’s family.

They held a funeral for Kelsey, without a body, in October, and have appealed to the Foreign Office for help.

Local MPs Antony Higginbotham and Naz Shah have both lobbied the government to get involved in Kelsey’s case – but the family have still seen no progress.

According to the hospital, Kelsey died of sepsis, a stroke and a cardiopulmonary arrest, as well as listing her as having epilepsy since birth, was married and had converted to Islam, the Mirror reports

They say that while Kelsey was in hospital they repeatedly called the British Embassy in Pakistan, and were eventually told a member of staff would visit her.

Her parents say that despite this promise, the visit never took place. 

Kelsey’s sister Chloe told the Mirror: ‘Kelsey was the best mum – she was with the kids all the time, they must be lost without her. Her favourite thing was to take them to the park and one of the local inflatable playgrounds.

‘We all loved spending time together as one big family. I used to stay over at Kelsey’s all the time.’ 

Father Sean added: “Kelsey’s life matters, and I just feel like because we are a family off an estate in Burnley, no one is interested.’ 

An FCDO spokesperson said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British national who sadly died in Pakistan.’

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