Australian influencer dies from rare childbirth complications
Food influencer Stacey Hatfield passed away shortly after giving birth to her son Axl. The Australian influencer suffered complications from childbirth.
Stacey Hatfield, an Australian-based nutritionist and social media influencer, passed away due to complications after giving birth to her first child, her husband announced on Sunday, October 19th.
“I am so saddened to share with everyone the unexpected passing of my beautiful wife, soulmate and best friend, Stacey Warnecki (Hatfield),” her husband Nathan Warnecki wrote in an Instagram post on October 19th.
Hatfield is a businessman and content creator for Natural Spoonfuls, a website that features recipes for low-toxicity eating and natural living.
The popular tastemaker, based in Victoria’s capital Melbourne, died on September 29 “shortly after giving birth to a beautiful baby boy,” her husband told USA TODAY.
“This was an absolutely terrible tragedy and a shock to our family that we never thought possible,” Warnecke wrote in an email Monday, Oct. 20. “Her work was a great part of her life and she took great pride in her work.”
How did Stacey Hatfield die?
Warnecke said in a statement that his wife died after giving birth “safely at home” to the couple’s first son, Axel.
“Sadly, shortly thereafter, an unexpected and extremely rare complication occurred and she passed away after being taken to the hospital,” her husband wrote. “The staff at the hospital were amazing and tried their best, but in the end, despite their best efforts, nothing could be done.”
Warnecke declined to elaborate on the date of her birth or any complications. USA TODAY also reached out to Hatfield’s family and friends.
“Words cannot express how devastating this is to myself and everyone who knew and loved her,” Warnecke wrote. “She was my lighthouse in the storm, and the world wouldn’t be any brighter without her.”
According to her husband, Hatfield was “most at home in nature, surrounded by trees and sand under her feet. Throughout her life, she was grateful for everything she had and lived without worrying about material possessions. Her (most) joy was reading a book with a mug of green tea and our French bulldog, Winter, by her side.”
Fundraising for Stacey Hatfield
An online fundraiser set up by the baby’s uncle, John Downey, said the couple were excited about the birth of their child, but the mother was “only able to enjoy the joy of her new baby boy for a short time”.
“On what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, the unimaginable happened,” Downey wrote in an Oct. 19 post. “Shortly after the birth of their son Axl, Stacey passed away due to childbirth complications.”
“We sincerely ask for help so Nathan can focus on what matters most: his grief, healing, and bonding with his son Axel,” Downey wrote.
In addition to funeral costs, the funds can also be used to pay for baby supplies and child care.
As of Monday, October 20, the page has raised more than A$33,400, or approximately $21,743, to help Mr Warnecke’s family.
This story has been updated to add new information And the video.
Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund
