‘I’m pregnant and caring for my sister’s baby after her shock death’

‘My heart hurts so much,’ said Lorena Ferreira after the loss of her sister. ‘These days have been so difficult.’

Lorena Ferreira, 31, is due to give birth in just a few weeks, but after her sister’s shock death she has taken on the care of her baby niece.

Pregnant Lorena lost her sister Mariana Ferreira, 29, on March 25 after she was thought to have fallen from a flat near Putney, according to police. Her daughter was just two-weeks-old at the time.

A probe has been opened but at this stage the death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious.

While grieving the loss of her sister, Lorena and her husband are struggling to make ends meet after caring for Mariana’s now three-month-old baby.

Lorena said: ‘It’s been really hard for me. She was my best friend and my only sister.

‘Only my husband is working and we’ve been struggling.’

Lorena and Mariana moved to the UK five years ago from Brazil, and both picked up odd housekeeping jobs to get by.

As well as being inseparable themselves, they also married brothers from the Brazilian city of Goiânia.

And, in November 2022, both found out they were both pregnant at the same time – with Mariana three months further along.

Sadly Mariana died just two weeks after giving birth, leaving devastated Lorena to look after the baby girl. But, unable to work, Lorena now needs help.

Patricia Wilson, 37, previously employed Lorena and has set up a fundraising page to support the soon-to-be mum.

Patricia said: ‘Lorena had been so excited for the birth of Mariana’s baby.

‘I’d even seen photos of their baby shower – it looked like a really happy day.

‘I was getting into my car and I received a text from Lorena to tell me Mariana had died.

‘I was breathless. My brain wouldn’t accept it, I just kept thinking: “No, this hasn’t happened. This can’t have happened”.’

In the days after Mariana’s death, Lorena told Patricia that she wouldn’t be able to work for her anymore.

Patricia said: ‘She offered to try and find her own replacement, which is just a testament to how hardworking she is. I told her not to worry at all.’

After hearing about Mariana’s death, Patricia informed a network of people who also employed Lorena – and a group of them banded together to donate her some toys and equipment for her new babies.

Patricia said: ‘We contacted a mum’s WhatsApp group and, in the end, we filled one car with donations – including a really nice buggy, clothes, toys and a baby carrier.

‘We drove to see Lorena with the donations and it was incredibly moving. She was, obviously, distraught.

‘She really is such a gentle woman, she was crying and so were we – it was such an emotional time.’

Feeling inspired by how much others wanted to help, Patricia decided to start a small crowdfund to help with Lorena’s childcare costs in any way she could.

She initially set up a JustGiving page with a target of £2,000.

She said: ‘I wanted to be able to do something else. I decided to create this fundraiser.

‘I initially set a £2,000 goal because I just wanted to reach other mothers who might be touched by this story.

‘But it really picked up quickly, and seemed to strike a chord with how difficult those early days can be for first-time mums.

‘It’s impossible to wrap your head around it – within the space of weeks, this woman has lost her sister, who was also her best friend, and is now having to look after her two-month-old niece while expecting her own baby.

‘Lorena was so touched by the gesture, and believes this money is really going to help.’

Patricia hopes the money will allow Lorena and her young family some ‘breathing space and comfort knowing a lot of her childcare costs are now taken care of’.

Lorena and her husband lived with Mariana and her husband, but since her death both Mariana’s husband and Lorena have stopped working, meaning the four of them are now relying on one income.

A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘Police were called by the London Ambulance Service shortly after 17:00hrs on Saturday, 25 March to reports of a woman fallen from a flat on Keevil Drive, SW19.

‘Emergency services attended and immediately provided first aid. Despite their efforts, the woman – believed to be aged in her late 20s – died at the scene. Her family has been informed.

‘The death is being treated as unexpected but at this early stage is not thought to be suspicious.’

If you wish to help Lorena by donating click here.

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