Stem cell transplant treatment was a factor in the death of a young mum battling a rare cancer, a coroner has concluded.
Devon Leigh – described by her family as a ‘doting mother and partner’ – died on June 4, 2024, after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia aged just 29.
The 31-year-old nursery room leader, who worked at the Sunflower Centre children’s nursery in Hyde, was treated at Tameside Hospital and given a stem cell donation. But an inquest yesterday (January 14) found this led to further complications in her condition.
Devon developed ‘Graft vs Host Disease’, where the body rejects donated tissue. That, in turn, led to a condition described in court as ‘post-transplant thrombotic angiopathy’.
Affecting blood and blood vessels, this was listed alongside ‘multiple organ failure’ as the cause of Devon’s death.
Although Devon was diagnosed with a naturally occurring medical condition, assistant coroner Zak Golombeck conducted an inquest into her death due to the stem cell transplant treatment during her care. He told Manchester Coroners’ Court: “I have considered the evidence in this case and taken into account the helpful correspondence from the family. It was the stem cell transplantation which is an unnatural disease process.”
Mum of two Devon Leigh
(Image: GoFundMe)
The court heard Devon’s family declined a proposal that the inquest be an ‘inquest in writing’ and attended at Manchester Coroner’s Court. The inquest found Devon’s cause of death was 1A post-transplant thrombotic angiopathy, 1B Graft vs Host Disease, 1C Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, and part 2, meaning an underlying factor, ‘recurrent infections’.
Mr Golombeck added: “I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to all of you for your loss and for those condolences to be extended to all the family who are not present today.”
Devon’s family raised concerns about the condition of wards where she was being cared for.
Mr Golombeck said: “Inquests can’t look at every twist and turn of a patient’s journey through hospital. I have to focus on matters which have caused or contributed to her death. Those matters aren’t related to the medical cause of death.
“That’s not to say that they are not important issues for you as a family. It’s clearly an important issue for you as a family, but I have a limited enquiry.”
The coroner recorded a narrative conclusion, saying: “Devon died from recognised complications of necessary medical treatment.”
Devon’s partner John Mawdesley previously paid tribute. He said: “Devon was a truly wonderful person with a loving nature and an infectious personality. She was a doting mother and partner who lit up every room she walked into.”