‘Love of my life’: Mum-to-be pens moving note to her late husband after his sudden death

A heartbroken newlywed has written a heartbreaking last letter to her late husband after he unexpectedly died in his sleep.

A newlywed mother-to-be is facing a world of anguish after her husband suddenly died in his sleep, not long after finding out she was pregnant.

Shannen and Connor Rissel, 29, married in September and discovered they were expecting a baby just days before tragedy struck the young family from Gorokan on NSW’s Central Coast.

“It is with the heaviest heart that I write these words. My husband, Connor passed away unexpectedly in his sleep yesterday morning,” Ms Rissel wrote on GoFundMe on Friday.

“Connor was the love of my life, he was the best husband, the best friend, the best family member, the best fur baby daddy and he was also going to become a father this year in August,” she continued.

Ms Rissel said Connor loved the outdoors, and was especially fond of being in the water and at the beach.

Connor and Shannen Rissel married in September 2022. Picture: Facebook

Shannen Rissel described her late husband as “the love of my life”. Picture: Facebook

He was always trying to live an exciting life that he was proud of, trying new things like fly fishing, he worked hard, he loved being creative with his art and music, she said.

“He gave his whole heart to those he loved and had such a huge heart, empathy and care for people he met,” she added.

“He was the most rare person you could meet and I am so proud that I got to become his wife and spend 5 years, and 4 months with him.

“The memories that we have I will cherish forever and I will live the rest of my days reflecting on ways I can be more like him.

“And when I welcome our baby into the world he or she will be surrounded by everyone that loved him, to share memories about how beautiful of a person he was and his memories will live on.”

A heartbroken newlywed has written a heartbreaking last letter to her late husband. Picture: Instagram

Shannen Rissel's husband Connor died suddenly.

Tributes poured in for the young family, with hundreds of comments on Facebook.

“Shannen I am so incredibly sorry for your loss, my heart is so broken for you. Thinking of you in this incredibly heart breaking time,” one person wrote.

“Connor and I were good mates in high school. I am so sorry for your loss and my thoughts are with you and your family. I have great memories of Connor, truly one of a kind,” another posted.

“Shannen, I have no words I’m in disbelief. Life is so unfair and this is such a tragedy. It has been such a pleasure to watch your relationship and marriage unfold,” a third person wrote.

“The love you shared was palpable and it was wonderful to see you both so so so happy. Sending you so much strength for you and your baby as you navigate this time.”