Mystery as healthy man suddenly dies in sleep just days before 22nd birthday

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Rickson
Rickson 'Ricko' Williams went to bed on January 11 and tragically never woke up (Image: GoFundMe)

A young man in perfect health passed away in his sleep just days before he turned 22.

Rickson "Ricko" Williams, 21, went to bed at his home in Wallaville, Queensland, Australia, on January 11 but never woke up.

His heartbroken family believe he could have died as a result of an undiagnosed heart condition after they were told he had an enlarged heart.

His cause of death is still to be ascertained.

Rickson's distraught mum, Tanya Wright, said the family is still stunned by his passing.

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Writing on Facebook the day after he died, she said: "This is not a post I was expecting to write but it's nonetheless one that has to be written.

"Anyone who knew us, knew how much Rickson meant to us and how much this loss will affect our lives and our family."

Mystery as healthy man suddenly dies in sleep just days before 22nd birthdayHis distraught family fear he may have died from an undiagnosed heart condition (Facebook)
Mystery as healthy man suddenly dies in sleep just days before 22nd birthdayHe died just days before his 22nd birthday (Facebook)

Rickson - who was set to enroll on a BA in music - previously worked at a gardening centre before relocating to Wallaville about four years ago.

He "always wanted to be the life of the party", a GoFundMe set up to raise unexpected expenses for the family said.

The fundraiser for the former school captain had raised more than half of the money by this morning.

"As our family tries to find a way through this heartbreaking, difficult time, I would just like to reach out to our amazing community, loving family, and amazing friends for your support," Ms Wright wrote on GoFundMe.

"He had come a tremendously long way from the difficulties he faced only a few short years ago."

"He loved life, and always wanted to be the life of the party, even when there was no party.

Mystery as healthy man suddenly dies in sleep just days before 22nd birthdayRickson was a captain at his former school (Facebook)

"Although the financial support won't bring Rickson back, it hopefully will help us to give him the farewell he deserves and some time to mourn the unexpected loss of our loving son and brother without the added stress of financial burden."

Last week, a 19-year-old kids swimming teacher described as a "kind and caring" girl and a "model employee" died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Cheshire.

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Mia Jennings helped hundreds of children learn to swim at her local pool at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, in the Cheshire town.

A spokesperson for Everybody Health and Leisure - which runs the Leisure Centre - said: “We are sharing with great sadness that our dear colleague Mia Jennings passed away this weekend after suffering a cardiac arrest.

“Mia was just 19 years old - a model employee and star apprentice in our HR Team and swimming teacher to hundreds of children at Macclesfield Leisure Centre.

“Those who knew Mia best are understandably shocked and devastated at this time.

“Our thoughts are with her parents, James and Louise, her younger brother and sister and all their family, along with her boyfriend Andrew.”

Ryan Fahey

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