Influencer Melissa Mae Carlton shared devastating news with her followers this week, revealing that her youngest daughter, Molly, died suddenly on Christmas Day—just over a year after the family lost another child.
People has confirmed that, in a somber Instagram post, Carlton described the hours following the loss as overwhelming. “We are devastated. In disbelief. Confused and in shock,” she wrote, adding that she and her husband, Tom Carlton, were “exhausted and shaken after a day filled with trauma and heartbreak.”
Carlton said she felt numb and unprepared for the pain that followed.
The influencer, who often shares Mormon faith-centered content about motherhood and grief, posted photos from the hospital showing the family with Molly.
In one message, she wrote that Christmas morning marked a reunion between Molly and her older sister, Abigail. “This is the only thing giving me even a small sense of comfort,” she shared, explaining that Molly deeply missed her sister and often asked when they would be together again.
Hours later, Carlton returned with what she described as an early medical update amid speculation online.
While noting that no official diagnosis has been finalized, she said doctors believe Molly may have had a genetic heart condition. According to Carlton, physicians also suspect the same condition may have contributed to Abigail’s death.
Carlton explained that Molly had been monitored in the hospital before she died, which allowed doctors to gather information that wasn’t available when Abigail became ill.
“We’ve been told that even a minor illness could potentially trigger a sudden cardiac event,” she wrote.
Despite being in what she called the best possible setting for care, doctors told the family that this type of event is often not survivable.
The loss comes after the death of Abigail in April 2024. At the time, Carlton announced that her 9-year-old daughter had died after battling sepsis. She did not publicly share a cause then, but described feeling profound grief alongside a sense of spiritual peace.
“There are no words to express how heartbroken and devastated we are,” she wrote last year.
Now grieving two children, Carlton said the family is pursuing genetic testing in hopes of finding clearer answers. She also expressed a desire that sharing their experience might help other families facing sudden unexpected death in children (SUDC).
“We are grateful for every single one of you,” she wrote, thanking supporters for their messages and prayers as the family searches for understanding amid unimaginable loss.