Cause of Death Revealed for 17-Year-Old Rugby Star Who Collapsed Days After Being Sent Home from Hospital

A cause of death has been confirmed for 17-year-old rugby player Lilly Day, who tragically collapsed at home just days after visiting a hospital earlier this year.

During an inquest held at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in England, officials revealed that Lilly died from a ruptured spleen, a “rare complication” linked to a common virus, according to the Warrington Guardian.

Lilly had first visited her doctor’s office in Warrington, Cheshire, on Feb. 14. She was diagnosed with a viral upper respiratory tract infection, but her condition did not improve. On Feb. 15, around 8:30 p.m. local time, she went to the hospital complaining of a cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, swelling in her neck, and puffy eyes, the Warrington Guardian reported.

Doctors initially suspected her symptoms might be linked to allergies and suggested testing. In the following days, however, Lilly’s condition worsened. She experienced nausea and diarrhea before collapsing at her home on Feb. 18. Though she was conscious on the way to the hospital, she quickly deteriorated and went into cardiac arrest shortly after arrival. She was pronounced dead within hours, according to the Warrington Guardian.

A post-mortem examination confirmed she had died from a ruptured spleen caused by glandular fever, also known as infectious mononucleosis (mono). The Mayo Clinic notes that mono is spread primarily through saliva and can be transmitted by kissing or by sharing drinks and utensils.

Senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish stated that Lilly’s spleen did not rupture until the morning of her death, meaning there had been no signs that could have alerted medical staff earlier, the Warrington Guardian reported.

Her official cause of death was listed as “hypovolemic shock due to intra-abdominal haemorrhage, severe splenomegaly with rupture, and Epstein-Barr virus induced infectious mononucleosis.”

The Warrington Girls Community Rugby League Club, where Lilly once played, set up a GoFundMe to support her family. In a statement, the club wrote: “Words cannot express the depth of our sorrow. We are heartbroken for Lilly’s family and offer them our deepest condolences during this incredibly difficult time. We also extend our love and support to her many friends and teammates who are struggling with this loss.”

At the inquest, Lilly’s mother, Dawn Boadey, described her daughter as someone who “loved life” and was surrounded by friends. “She worked hard and played hard,” she said. “I don’t know a person that didn’t like Lilly.”