A mum-of-two with a “heart of gold” never woke up after her birthday night out, leaving her family heartbroken.
Joanne Barker had been celebrating her 53rd birthday in July with a meal before returning home. She had appeared “well” with “nothing wrong” after a “lovely” evening but became unresponsive that night and died in hospital the evening after.
Doctors identified a brain aneurysm - a type of bulge in the artery wall - as to blame, having resulted in a fatal haemorrhage. Her family were unaware of any symptoms prior to her death, and Joanne appeared fit and healthy, walking the dog three times a day and on no medication.
