‘We’ve cried a lot’: Family’s horror as Karen Hedger dies following her daughter’s surgery

Paris Hedger had only just survived her own life-threatening medical crisis when her world was shattered after her mum tragically died in her sleep.

Karen Hedger, who was a popular bridal makeup artist and hairdresser, tragically died in her sleep last month. Picture: Supplied by family

Paris Hedger had only just survived her own life-threatening medical crisis when her world was shattered after her mum tragically died in her sleep.

Karen Hedger, who was a popular bridal hair and makeup artist, was found by her partner Aaron unconscious in their bed with no pulse and not breathing in late August this year.

“Mum was the rock of our family,” her daughter Paris Hedger, 20, told The Advertiser.

“I will miss being able to talk to her about anything … there have been so many times I’ve reached for the phone to send her a photo or give her a call but I then realise she isn’t here anymore and that is the hardest thing.”

Karen Hedger with her three daughters Keischa Brown, Paris Hedger and Charlie Hedger. Picture: Supplied

Paris said her mum was the rock of their family. Picture: Supplied

The Craigmore woman’s death comes after her daughter Paris suffered a health episode while on her dream trip in the United States earlier this year.

In January, Paris was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a hospital in Beverly Hills, where scans revealed 50 per cent of her lungs were full of blood clots.

There, Paris almost lost her life.

Upon her return to Australia she has undergone many lifesaving surgeries, including a surgery at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where she suffered a hypoxic brain injury.

“I am feeling pretty terrible,” she said.

“I’ve had to learn how to do everything again from scratch, like swallowing, walking and talking. Not being able to talk has been the hardest thing for me mentally because I know what I want to say, I just can’t get it out.

“And with mum passing away only a week after arriving in Adelaide, it has been the most horrible time of my entire life.”

Karen would cook meals for her elderly clients and drop them off. Picture: Supplied

Paris said her family are struggling to believe Karen’s death is real. Picture: Supplied

Paris said her family, including her sisters Keischa Brown and Charlie Hedger, are struggling to believe Karen’s death is real.

“(We) still expect her to walk through the front door with groceries in hand and a big smile on her face,” she said.

“We’ve cried a lot and are just going through the grieving process but it looks different for us all.”

Karen was a 10-time award-winning hair and makeup artist who cared a lot about her clients.

“She loved her job, especially the wedding aspect of it, but she also loved making people happy,” Paris said.

“She’d cook meals for her elderly clients, drive to their houses, all the things that were above and beyond her role as a hairdresser.”

Karen’s family has been struggling financially since her passing.

“We now have to live without mum’s income and have to pay for funeral costs, weekly living expenses like food and rent and my upcoming medical bills,” Paris said.

If you’d like to donate to the family you can here.

Originally published as ‘We’ve cried a lot’: Family’s horror as Karen Hedger dies following her daughter’s surgery