By Alexander Lawrie and Cara Sulieman
A TRAGIC Scots schoolgirl has been found dead in her bed after falling victim to suspected adult cot death.
Pretty Kelly Louise Blair, 16, from Musselburgh, East Lothian, was discovered by her family after they went to wake her.
Paramedics were called to the family home at around 8am last Thursday after being called by distraught relatives.
Two ambulances and a doctor attended the scene, but were unable to save the schoolgirl.
St David’s RC School
It was thought the pretty teenager died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, friends said yesterday.
Kelly was a pupil at St David’s RC High School, Dalkeith.
The school is understood to have arranged a memorial service tomorrow (Thurs) to help grieving pupils come to terms with the terrible loss.
Her funeral has been arranged for Friday morning.
Parents Annette and Keith have described Kelly as their “beautiful and adored daughter” and a “much-loved and cherished sister”.
“Special angel”
The 16 year-old had one sister, Holly, and two brothers, Jamie and Jack.
It was understood they were hoping all Kelly’s friends and family will join them to pay their final respects to their “special angel”.
A Requiem Mass will be held at Our Lady of Loretto RC Church, Musselburgh, just yards from the Blair family home.
Friends and relatives have been posting poignant tributes on Kelly’s social networking site since news of her death filtered out.
“Best wee sis”
Among the most poignant was from devastated older brother Jamie, 17, who left an emotional message on his Bebo page declaring his love and anguish over his sister’s sudden death.
He wrote: “You are the best wee sis in the world. I love you with all my heart and don’t know how I’m going to cope with you not there. You were so bright hunnie, such a future ahead of you.
“I love you forever baby. Every Christmas, every birthday you’re not going to be there. It will be hard but we’ll remember the good times. You were so popular, a good kid I honestly couldn’t have asked for more from you.
“Words can’t convey the love I have or the sorrow I feel. You will be in my heart forever and your memory will make me a better person.
“I can’t believe you’ve been taken away from us. You were my baby Kel, and I did my best to look out for you and protect you, now I hope you’re looking down on me with a smile guiding me from the skies. I Will Always Love You. And never, ever, ever forget you. RIP My baby sister.”
“Missed by everyone”
Friend Aimee Given said: “Such a beautiful girl with a beautiful personality too. My thoughts are with your family.”
And Little Miss GeeGee added: “You have no idea how much you are missed by everyone here.
At the family home in Musselburgh today, Kelly’s mum Annette said the family were still trying to come to terms with what had happened.
She said: “It is a really hard time for us just now. It came as such a shock.”
Friends and family members were gathering at the flat in the town centre to pay their respects, but neighbours in the tight-knit community were reluctant to speak about the tragedy.
Lisa McGlynn
One man, who did not want to be named, said: “Kelly was a lovely girl and had many friends. She will be missed by so many people. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.”
Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, commonly known as Adult Cot Death, has baffled doctors for decades and it is thought around 500 people die from the condition in Britain every year.
In June this year, dressmaker Lisa McGlynn, 28, was also found dead in her bed by her devastated parents after passing away from the adult version of cot death.
More than 300 friends and family choked back tears as her pink coffin was carried into St Patrick’s RC Church near her home in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.
Counselling
Midlothian Council confirmed pupils in Kelly’s year group will be offered support and counselling, if needed, by the school’s chaplaincy team.
A council spokesman said: “There is a strong chaplaincy department within St David’s school and they will be offering any counselling for friends of Kelly’s who feel they need to use that service.
“Midlothian Council will also be offering a similar additional service if any pupils feel the need to use it.
“A memorial service has been arranged for Thursday at the school, and I believe Kelly’s parents will be attending.”
