Two siblings from Portsmouth, Hampshire, are facing homelessness after the deaths of their mother and sister in a car crash, followed by their father's sudden death weeks later. Mason, 20, and Bailey, 18, have been left without a home after their father Ted Papworth's property was taken by authorities because no will was in place.
Their mother, 43-year-old Michelle Devine, and seven-year-old sister Theia died in a single-vehicle crash on the A3 near Haslemere, Surrey, in February. Ted, who lived in Spain, was described as 'absolutely broken' by the tragedy. He passed away in his sleep in March after a dinner out with his sister, who had come from Australia to support him. A post-mortem revealed his lungs had filled with fluid.
The grieving aunt, Olivia Knight, spoke out to support a GoFundMe appeal set up to help the siblings rent a home and cover funeral expenses. 'They are too young to be dealing with it,' she said. 'The family is devastated with so many losses.' More than £8,000 has been raised so far.
Michelle's family remembered her as having a 'heart of gold' and said her greatest achievement was her children. Her death came just four months after her own sister died of a heart attack. Ted and Michelle were married for 22 years and remained close despite living separately.
