Megan Gardiner, 25, was 17 weeks pregnant when she and her unborn son were found dead in her bedroom by her mother in June 2022, according to multiple reports. Her medical cause of death was Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). Epilepsy specialist Kim Morley said there had been a series of failures in Gardiner's care before her death. Gardiner had been advised to decrease her medication Zonisamide without titrating in another medication, a decision Morley said she would not have made. "With the knowledge of her seizure description and medical history, Megan had probably one of the most volatile types of epilepsy to present in pregnancy," Morley said. "Without being informed of this risk, without the knowledge, how could you counsel somebody accurately?" She added: "I do not know any neurologist that would have made that decision... I'd have been terrified this woman could die."
Nicola Burns, 41, also died from SUDEP and had not been told about the condition, according to multiple reports. At an inquest into her death in 2025, the coroner queried why SUDEP had not been raised with her and why an annual review by the South Eastern health trust had not taken place. According to BBC News - UK, Jo-Ann Burns, Nicola's mother, described feeling robbed, saying Nicola was handling her epilepsy and taking her medication, but neither she nor her family knew anything about SUDEP. According to BBC News - UK, Catriona, Nicola's sister, described her as a beloved big sister who did everything for the family.
With the knowledge of her seizure description and medical history, Megan had probably one of the most volatile types of epilepsy to present in pregnancy.
The South Eastern health trust expressed condolences and stated that following a review, its neurology epilepsy lead developed a comprehensive advice document including a section on SUDEP. However, it remains unclear what specific advice was given to Megan Gardiner about her epilepsy medication during pregnancy, and why SUDEP was not discussed with either woman by their healthcare providers. The current policy in the UK regarding informing epilepsy patients about SUDEP risk is also unclear, as is whether any other contributing factors were involved in the deaths.
Without being informed of this risk, without the knowledge, how could you counsel somebody accurately?
I do not know any neurologist that would have made that decision... I'd have been terrified this woman could die.
We feel robbed, Nicola was handling her epilepsy, taking her medication which was reviewed periodically but she nor us knew anything about sudden unexpected death.
I loved her to bits, she was my big sister who did everything for all of us.