A young mother has tragically passed away after suffering a suspected allergic reaction to seafood, leaving behind her devastated husband and 15-month-old son.
Gayathiri Jeyatheesan, 28, collapsed at her home in Bootle on January 25 after eating a meal containing crab. The shopkeeper, described as “lovely and kind,” had reportedly prepared the dish as a special treat for her mother, who was visiting from Sri Lanka.
A Devastating Loss
Gayathiri was at home with her son and her mother when she began feeling unwell. She quickly messaged her husband, Selvarajah, who was working at their Stanley Road convenience store, via WhatsApp, alerting him to her distress.
Selvarajah immediately called an ambulance, but despite the best efforts of paramedics, Gayathiri could not be saved.
The family is devastated by her sudden passing, particularly as she and Selvarajah had been looking forward to celebrating their third wedding anniversary on January 27. Gayathiri had even bought new clothes for the occasion and planned to visit the Shri Muthu Mariamman Temple to celebrate.
Allergic Reaction Suspected
According to close friends, Gayathiri did not have any known health concerns apart from a prawn allergy but had never experienced issues eating crab.
She had previously eaten crab while living in Sri Lanka, but this was her first time cooking it in the UK, as she had waited for her mother’s help to prepare it properly.
A Hardworking and Devoted Mother
Gayathiri was well-known in the local Bootle community as a dedicated shopkeeper and loving mother.
A close family friend, Ananth Raj, described her as:
“A lovely and kind person who worked very hard in the couple’s convenience store. She got up every morning at 6am and worked until 2 or 3pm in the shop. She was really well-loved by people and was a very good and devoted mum.
“The family’s suffering is awful to see. I’m so upset about it. Every evening I go and stay with them, give them comfort. Her mother is in a terrible way.”
Community in Mourning
The news of Gayathiri’s passing has sent shockwaves through the community, with friends, customers, and locals expressing their condolences.
Many have praised her kindness, dedication, and strong work ethic, recalling how she always greeted people with a warm smile at the family’s store.
Moving Forward
Gayathiri’s husband and young son now face an unimaginable loss, as they try to navigate life without her.
The family is being supported by close friends and the local community, who have come together to help them through this heartbreaking time.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support her husband and child during this difficult period.
The family has requested privacy as they grieve and make arrangements for Gayathiri’s funeral.
