A “young, beautiful, healthy” woman has tragically died suddenly after suffering a “catastrophic” bilateral stroke, her devastated family has revealed.
Christine Visnjic, from Sydney, Australia, was just 24 years old when she passed away unexpectedly.
Visnjic woke one morning with unexplained leg pain.
She decided to visit the hospital to get checked out on January 10.
However, on the drive to the hospital, Visnjic’s symptoms worsened and she suffered a seizure on the side of the road.
Just 72 hours later, Visnjic was dead.
Her condition reportedly left doctors baffled, with the exact cause remaining a mystery.
“It came out of nowhere, it happened so quick,” her brother Jason said.
“She returned from Japan on December 6 and felt no alarming pain or obvious signs to even see a GP.
“On the morning she was admitted to hospital, she was awake for about 1.5 hours and still felt no alarming pain.”
Scans revealed Christine had suffered a bilateral stroke, disrupting blood flow to both sides of her brain.
The stroke was caused by “a blood clot in her leg that broke off and travelled up to her lung, then to her heart and then to her brain,” he said.
Christine, described as a “young beautiful, healthy girl who was full of energy and love for others,” had her life “tragically cut short,” Jason added on a GoFundMe page.
The fundraiser was set up with the assistance of her colleagues at Amazon to go towards the costs of a headstone.
“Her tragedy was a full shock to her family, friends and the wider community who are deeply saddened by her passing,” he said.
“She was 24 years young and had no warning of such event and despite of all of the help that could be offered from the best available medical facilities and professionals, her life could not be saved.
“Her heart lasted for 20 minutes after opting out of life support, which shows that she had a strong heart.
“She was fortunate to pass without suffering or pain and laid beautifully to rest.”
A post announcing her “shock” death on Facebook described her family’s “sorrow” at delivering the “catastrophic news of Christine passing away.”
Many flooded the announcement with tributes to the “hardworking” young woman.
“Christine was so loved and favourited by her girls, we are so sorry for the loss of Christine,” one wrote.
“Such shocking and devastating news, deepest condolences to the whole family,” another wrote.
Another commenter added:
“She was such a kind person and very much loved, we’re so sorry.”
In the hours before her death, Jason said his sister had been lounging on her bed when she “noticed discomfort and called our mother who discovered something was wrong.”
“I was with her, along with cousins, the night before at dinner and she did not describe any pain or discomfort,” he recalled.
“Westmead Hospital is only about 2km from us, but about 500 metres down the road she told my dad to stop the car to vomit.
“So he stopped the car, he opened the door, she shifted herself to lean over the side, and then she experienced a seizure.”
The family said they suspect Visnjic contracted deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while travelling during her recent trip to Japan.
However, DVT was not confirmed as the cause as the family declined an autopsy because “she passed beautifully.”
Jason also shared a heartfelt message of warning to other Aussies, stating “Life is so delicate.”
“We want people to be mindful that life is precious, that even at a young age it can go without warning.
“Make time with family and loved ones, don’t chase the dollars thinking life can be enjoyed later.
“Christine is a reminder for us of what life is all about.”
