Family issues warning over 'silent killer' illness after death of son, 14

A FAMILY wants to raise awareness of a silent killer after the death of Tom Morris, aged 14.

- by ABIGAIL NEEP [e-mail] @DevonLiveNews

Tom, who lived in Torquay, died as a result of sepsis on March 24, just a day after telling his mother he felt sick and had diarrhoea, the symptoms of a standard sickness bug.

Tom had Down's syndrome and, due to a weakened immune system, tested his blood every day.

When his blood was tested on March 23 although Tom said he felt sick, “everything showed up fine,” said Derek, Tom's stepdad.

The next day, Tom felt sick again and not long after stopped breathing. The family called 999 and paramedics tried to resuscitate him, but despite their efforts Tom died at home.

After speaking with doctors to find out the cause of his death, the post-mortem determined that he died of sepsis.

Derek said: “We were surprised, obviously, because he wasn't showing any signs and all his bloods were fine.”