Former AFL player, Mark Hutchings has shared his partner, Hannah, sadly died two days after giving birth.
The former West Coast Eagles player confirmed her tragic passing on Thursday evening on Instagram. He did not reveal how Hannah died, but two days before her death, she gave birth to their first child.
“It is with deep sadness that I share the sudden loss of my beautiful partner, Hannah ❤️💔” he wrote on Instagram, alongside the images from their pregnancy photoshoot. “2 days following the birth of our daughter, Sofia.
“I am shattered. Her dream was to become a Mum, so it’s been incredibly difficult to take.
“Thank you for all of your messages of support, I can’t always reply to them all but I do appreciate them. Sofia and I love you and will miss you very much Hannah ❤️💔”
His post was flooded with support from friends, fans and fellow sports players including Baz Williams, Jack Crisp, Sam Kerr, and Joel Selwood.
“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry Hutch! Just devastating. Sending so much love and strength to you and Sofia ❤️🫶🏼 xx,” former AFL player Abbey Holmes wrote.
“You’ll be the best Dad for your beautiful daughter, we got you,” retired ruckman Nic Naitanui said.
The couple were together for at least three years, with Mark first posting Hannah to Instagram in June 2023. However, they mostly kept their relationship out of the public eye. Followers didn’t know about Hannah’s pregnancy until Mark’s announcement on September 24.
His last post with Hannah was in March, smiling by the water and cooking up a feast on a boat.
Mark was a one-team player in the AFL, having won a premiership with them in 2018 before retiring at the end of the 2021 season.
Mark did not reveal why Hannah passed away.
However, birth and its following health implications is another example of women’s health being marginalised. The Weekly wrote a powerful story on this issue in 2023. If you would like to read this article, click below.
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