Reality television star Holly Hagan has opened up about the devastating final hours she spent with her younger sister, Darci, following the teenager's tragic death in October. The 33-year-old Geordie Shore personality described her final acts of kindness for her 19-year-old sibling, who died after an accidental overdose of crystal MDMA at a nightclub in Manchester.
A Sister's Final Vigil
Speaking candidly about the traumatic experience, Holly revealed that Darci lost her life just 48 hours after reportedly mixing the drug into her drink. The teenager was hospitalised after suffering two cardiac arrests and was later declared braindead. In the midst of this nightmare, Holly found herself performing poignant, everyday tasks for her sister.
"I got her some pyjamas, which seems crazy," Holly told the Mail. "I was in Asda or Tesco in the middle of the night shopping for pyjamas for my dead sister." In another tender gesture, she asked hospital staff to brush Darci's hair, including her new £800 extensions, so their mother wouldn't see any knots. "They brushed her hair, they put her hair in a bobble and that was the end," she shared.
Recording a Last Goodbye
Holly also disclosed a profoundly personal moment from their farewell. Before leaving Darci for the final time, she recorded her sister's heartbeat. "We were all there and we had an opportunity to say goodbye," Holly explained. She described the difficulty of the moment, recalling how she had to eventually drag her distraught mother from the room.
The family laid Darci to rest in a funeral last month. Holly posted the order of service on Instagram, writing a touching tribute: "My sister, my forever friend. His auntie, his greatest gift. Now our guardian angel....I hope we did you proud today baby girl. We all miss and love you so much."
A Family's World Stops Spinning
In the weeks following the tragedy, Holly admitted her family was struggling to process their loss. She described it as the "toughest four weeks of our entire life," adding that their world had effectively stopped. "I don't think anybody realises how much this affects everybody in their lives," she said. "The amount of people that's been affected by this is just absolutely mind blowing."
Police confirmed that Darci had fallen seriously ill after she was believed to have taken drugs. Holly, who recently announced she is pregnant with her second child, said she remains "traumatised" by the sudden death of her younger sister.
If you have been affected by this story, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free help. You can visit their website or call 0808 808 1677.
