Hundreds have paid tribute to a mum who was found dead at her home and her son has been flooded with support. Louise McKenzie, 38, was diagnosed with an inflamed pancreas after going to the doctors on Christmas Eve with her son, Reece Barrett.
Reece, 18, who lived with his mum and their XL bully Virgil at their home in Bootle, told the ECHO she was informed it was nothing to worry about. Reece and Louise then went out to do their last bits of Christmas shopping.
When they got back home, Louise started tidying the house but began complaining about a dizzy spell and a headache. She then sat down to rest and later Reece went out for drinks with his friends.
Reece returned home after speaking to his mum on the phone, and saw she was sleeping. He said: “She was upstairs asleep, she was snoring her head off like she always would. I went in, said ‘goodnight, I love you’ and gave her a kiss, she said ‘merry Christmas, I love you’. I stayed up for an hour or two then went to bed.”
Reece was horrified when he woke up on Christmas morning at around 11am and found his mum curled up on the floor of the bathroom.
Reece said: “I thought ‘what’s going on here?’. I tried to wake her up in the position she was in but there was nothing.
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“I think I knew straight away she had passed away. I just went into a panic. I rang my girlfriend and she told me to ring an ambulance, the person on the phone told me to perform CPR.
“I thought she had started breathing but I think it was just the last of the air leaving her body. The paramedics, my girlfriend and her mum came and I was just distraught.
Louise McKenzie with her son Reece and dog Virgil(Image: Reece Barrett)
“She was pronounced dead at home and police had to come to make sure it wasn’t suspicious because it was just me and her in the house. The police came and they helped me out a lot, I have a lot of respect for them now for how they were.”
Reece, who works full-time as a civil servant after being offered a job through college, paid tribute to his mum. He said: “She was lovely. She was such a people person, she would always have a laugh and a joke with everyone.”
It is believed Louise died from a brain haemorrhage. Reece is currently living with his girlfriend Holly and her family until he is able to organise living arrangements for him and Virgil.
Holly’s mum, Vicki Bradshaw, has since started a GoFundMe to help Reece with the cost of living following his mum’s death, with the teen looking to get his own place so he and Virgil have a permanent roof over the heads, as he can’t afford the rent at his mum’s house.
Since the ECHO’s story was published this morning, hundreds of people have left messages of condolences to Reece.
On the ECHO’s Facebook page, Carys Hammond said: “This is so sad, I wouldn’t normally comment on articles but this has really struck me. What a wonderful young man she raised. Sending the family love, RIP.”
Carmel O Neill said: “Oh this poor lad and his lovely mum and dog. I’ve just cried reading this article. This is such a tragic time for Reece at such a young age to have to deal with losing his mum on Christmas Day of all days, his home and potentially his dog.
“He’ll need his furry best friend more than ever right now. Glad he has his girlfriend’s family for support. I’ve just donated and will share his plight.”
Liz Robinson said: “I loved Louise. She was a lovely person with a heart of gold.”
Elizabeth Hitchell said: “My heart goes out to this young man.”
Katrina Minns said: “Heartbreaking. I hope he can find the strength to get through this and carry on making your mum proud. So sad.”
Patricia Fisher said: “Absolutely heartbreaking. Sending lots of love and hope her son gets some help.”
Dawn Lowe said: “This is so, so sad, poor lad. I hope he can keep his dog.”
In the comment section of the article, user yes-man said: “My heart breaks for you young man. I lost my mum at 30 and it destroyed me.
“I can’t imagine what you are going through at such a tender age. Stay strong, I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.”
Fashionaddict said: “I nearly cried reading that. My heart goes out to him.”
Worksmart added: “Absolutely devastating for the guy. I got upset reading this. Hope you find something for Virgil and yourself. Stay strong, you’ve got this.”
SapperSte90 said: “I can’t imagine the pain this has caused the young lad. Hope he and the dog can find somewhere soon. RIP Louise, taken way too young.”
Calconnor66 said: “What a lovely young man he sounds like. I feel so sorry for him. He has no mum and nowhere to live. He is only 18, absolutely heartbreaking.”
EGJ2016 said: My heart goes out to this young lad. What a sad story. To hear of your mum passing away is bad enough but to be the one who finds her on the floor is truly heartbreaking.
“I hope to goodness that lots of people contribute to the GoFundMe page that has been set up for him. RIP Louise, taken far too early.”
