GGC – Sydney Weston, an 8-year-old girl from Missouri, tragically passed away on June 13, following a sudden medical emergency while en route to a family vacation in Chicago. The regional jet she was on had to make an emergency landing in Peoria, Illinois, where Sydney was pronounced dead shortly after.
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood shared with PEOPLE that Sydney’s death resulted from an adrenal crisis caused by Addison’s disease, a condition that leads to chronic adrenal insufficiency. The coroner’s report noted that this condition was not known until after Sydney’s death, suggesting that her parents were unaware of her illness before the tragic event.
Addison’s disease can be difficult to detect, especially in adolescents. The disease often presents with subtle early symptoms such as fatigue, skin darkening, and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms can easily be overlooked or attributed to other causes. In Sydney’s case, her condition was exacerbated by multiple infections, including Streptococcus pyogenes, which causes strep throat, chronic duodenitis (inflammation of the small intestine), and thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland).
The combination of these infections triggered Sydney’s acute adrenal insufficiency, leading to a rapid decline in her health. When the SkyWest Airlines flight made its emergency landing, Sydney was found to be unresponsive and without a pulse. Despite immediate medical attention upon arrival at a local hospital, she was declared dead at 8:05 a.m. local time.
Dr. Amanda Youmans, a board-certified forensic pathologist, conducted Sydney’s autopsy. Harwood emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The body’s need for cortisol increases significantly during infections. Sydney’s compromised adrenal glands could not meet this demand, resulting in her rapid deterioration.”
Since Sydney’s passing, her family has discovered that her 11-year-old brother, Evan, also has Addison’s disease. This revelation has shifted the family’s focus to managing Evan’s health. According to the family’s GoFundMe page, they are committed to ensuring Evan’s well-being and conducting genetic testing to better understand and manage their health.
Harwood, a father himself, expressed deep sympathy for the family, acknowledging the profound grief they must be experiencing. He described Sydney’s death as “nothing short of a tragedy,” highlighting the devastating impact of her loss on her loved ones.
