Ashley Stanik: Family of mother of four who died suddenly on Christmas Day and faced 'terrible' online trolling

The family of a mother-of-four who died suddenly while her children were opening their Christmas presents have criticized heartless social media trolls who claim her death was drug-related.

Ashley Stanik, 33, from Brisbane, died unexpectedly on Christmas morning while her husband Kane and four children sat 'five meters away' in the next room.

Her death has remained a mystery and an autopsy was inconclusive.

The tragedy has been extremely difficult for her husband Kane Stanik and their children to come to terms with, but cruel commenters online have made an already bad situation worse by sharing unsubstantiated theories online.

“(They say) she's a drug user, she overdosed. They're horrible, mate, horrible people. My daughter showed it to me, that's how I knew,” Kane said A current issue on Friday.

Although Mr. Stanik admits that he has had several run-ins with the police – and even spent time behind bars – and also acknowledges that he and his wife once led a “colorful” life, everything changed the moment they had children.

“We shut down our entire network – family, children, that's it,” Stanik said.

'We haven't used anything, we don't drink, we just smoke, that's all we do. The money goes to our children. We don't play slots. That is it. That's our life, buddy.'

He hopes that by defending Ms. Stanik's memory, she can be remembered as a “loving mother.”

Although Mrs Stanik's cause of death has yet to be determined, the family had been battling the flu in the days leading up to Christmas.

Mr. Stanik had taken over the Christmas shift for that morning because Mrs. Stanik was not feeling well and wanted to lie down.

He returned to their bedroom in the afternoon and found her unresponsive.

Mr Stanik said he performed CPR until paramedics arrived and he could no longer move his arms.

Mr Stanik (above) said he and the children were opening Christmas presents 'five yards away' when Mrs Stanik died

He remembered telling his children, ages 17, 12, 8 and 4, the terrible news.

'Not good. The oldest had to call the ambulance, so she knew. I pulled them over on the other side of the road and let them know. “I hugged and cried,” he said.

“I took them to Macca's to get them away so they didn't have to see anything.”

A family member started one GoFundMe to help the family cover the costs of Mrs. Stanik's funeral and provide them with some financial assistance as they grieve.

“Unfortunately, Mrs. Stanik left us on Christmas Day, making it even more terrifying for her children who find themselves in uncertain times because their mother is not there to make things right,” the fundraiser said.

“Instead, they have to say goodbye without anyone knowing how to pay for the funeral and help these children.

'Please help these children have the opportunity to give their mother the best send-off possible.'

Mr. Stanik said he took their four children (above) to McDonald's so they wouldn't be confronted by investigators at their home

A coroner continues to investigate Ms Stanik's sudden death.

It could be months before her family gets answers.

The young mother had suffered from stomach problems in the past and was diagnosed with an enlarged spleen which could indicate her cause of death.