EXCLUSIVE
An apparently healthy mother, 35, was walking home from the shops with her daughter when she suddenly collapsed near her driveway and died – and her family have no idea why.
Ashleigh Vlahos was living her dream: she was head of English and Languages at a private school in Canberra, married the love of her life and celebrated the birth of her first child in February.
She was on maternity leave in September when she and her husband decided to take a trip to Greece to introduce their daughter to her grandparents.
About a month later, on October 24, she fainted and died.
Her father, Chris Vlahos, told Ny Breaking Australia her body was found near the stairs to her home by neighbors who heard a baby screaming and went to investigate.
He said Ashleigh collapsed in a spot where passers-by could not have seen her.
Ashleigh Vlahos is pictured with her husband and daughter during their trip to Greece in September
Ashleigh Vlahos (pictured) was an aspiring actor until she decided to become a teacher at the age of 25
“The most heartbreaking thing is that she was probably there for a few hours before she was discovered,” he said.
“The only reason she was found is because the baby was crying in her stroller.”
Mr Vlahos said his family was shocked and confused by her sudden death as she appeared to be in perfect health.
To make matters worse, the coroner’s findings were inconclusive.
“My daughter was full of life, very energetic and full of life and loved being a mother, and she showed no signs of illness or anything else that could have caused this,” he said.
“It’s incomprehensible and we still don’t know why, and we’ll spend the rest of our lives wondering why.”
“I wish it was a bad dream.”
Mr Vlahos said his daughter was at the peak of her life, in her nirvana.
As a teenager she wanted to be an actor and appeared in a few commercials, but at the age of 25 she decided to become a teacher.
Mrs Vlahos was on maternity leave after the birth of her daughter in February (pictured together)
Ms Vlahos is pictured with her father, Chris, on a trip to Greece in 2022
She taught English to children who came to Australia from war-torn countries, who were depressed, introverted and struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. She introduced them to theater to help them gain self-confidence.
She then met her future husband, moved to Canberra and began teaching English at St Edmund’s College – until the school’s French teacher suddenly left and the principal asked Ms Vlahos to fill in.
Her father said, “She knew a little French in high school, so they paid her overtime to take night classes so she could stay one step ahead of the students until they found a replacement.”
“Well, she ended up taking French lessons and teaching the language for eighteen months because they couldn’t find a replacement, and then she became head of English and Languages.”
“I think this really embodies her.”
Mr Vlahos described his daughter as ‘the perfect daughter, wife, mother, sister, teacher, friend and person’.
“All we can do now is mourn her loss and remember who she was.”
Mrs Vlahos went to Greece (pictured) in September to introduce her daughter to her grandparents
Ashleigh Vlahos became an English teacher before being thrown into a job teaching French
The principal of St. Edmund’s College published a statement on the school’s website last week.
“Ashleigh’s impact on the community of St. Edmund was profound,” the statement read.
“During her time here, she has made an invaluable contribution through her work in diverse learning, her dedicated teaching of English and French, her role as a liaison to our Indigenous families and her leadership as Head of English and Languages.
‘Her work was characterized by genuine passion, boundless enthusiasm and a deep love for the students she served.’
A good friend launched one GoFundMe campaign to help her husband with finances.
“Ash’s presence resonated deeply, not only as an exceptional educator, but also as a dear friend, a devoted partner and a loving mother,”
“Over the past nine months, we have been privileged to watch Ash embrace her most extraordinary role yet: that of being a mother. This journey was marked by unwavering love and dedication.
“Her deep admiration for (her daughter) was evident in the countless hours she spent caring for her and celebrating every milestone.”