EXCLUSIVE
A seemingly healthy mum, 35, was walking home from the shops with her baby daughter when she suddenly collapsed near her driveway and died – and her family have no idea why.
Ashleigh Vlahos was living her dream – she was the head of English and Languages at a private school in Canberra, she was married to the love of her life, and celebrated the birth of her first child in February.
She was on maternity leave in September when she and her husband decided to take a trip to Greece to introduce their daughter to her grandparents.
About a month later, on October 24, she fainted and died.
Her father, Chris Vlahos, told Daily Mail that her body was found near the front steps to her home by neighbours who heard a baby screaming and went to investigate.
He said Ashleigh collapsed in a spot that meant passers-by wouldn’t have been able to see her.
Ashleigh Vlahos is pictured with her husband and daughter on their trip to Greece in September
Ashleigh Vlahos (pictured) was an aspiring actor, until she decided to become a teacher at 25
‘The most heart-wrenching part is she was probably laying there for a few hours before she was discovered,’ he said.
‘The only reason she was found is because the baby was crying in her pram.’
Mr Vlahos said his family was shocked and confused by her sudden death because she appeared to be in perfect health.
To make matters worse, the coroner’s findings were inconclusive.
‘My daughter was full of life and very energetic and full of zest and loved being a mother, and she had no signs of illness or anything which could have caused this,’ he said.
‘It’s incomprehensible and we still can’t work out why, and we’ll be asking why for the rest of our lives.’
‘I wish it was a bad dream’.
Mr Vlahos said his daughter was in the ‘peak of her life, in her nirvana’.
As a teenager she wanted to be an actor and appeared in a few commercials, but at age 25 she decided to become a teacher.
Ms Vlahos was on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter in February (pictured together)
Ms Vlahos is pictured with her father, Chris, during a trip to Greece in 2022
She taught English to children who came to from war-torn countries, who were depressed and introverted and struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. She introduced them to theatre to help them gain confidence.
She then met her future husband, moved to Canberra and started teaching English at St Edmund’s College – until the school’s French teacher suddenly left and the principal asked Ms Vlahos to fill in.
Her father said: ‘She knew a bit of high school French, so they paid her overtime to do night classes so she could stay one step ahead of the students until they found a replacement.’
‘Well, she ended up doing French classes and teaching the language for 18 months because they didn’t find a replacement and then she became head of English and Languages.’
‘I think that really epitomises her.’
Mr Vlahos described his daughter as ‘the perfect daughter, wife, mother, sister, teacher, friend and person’.
‘All we can do now I grieve her loss and remember who she was.’
Ms Vlahos went to Greece in September (pictured) to introduce her daughter to her grandparents
Ashleigh Vlahos became an English teacher, before she was thrown into a French teaching position
The principal of St Edmund’s College published a statement on the school’s website last week.
‘Ashleigh’s impact on the St Edmund’s community was profound,’ the statement read.
‘During her time here, she made invaluable contributions through her work in Diverse Learning, her dedicated teaching of English and French, her role as a liaison for our Indigenous families, and her leadership as Head of English and Languages.
‘Her work was characterised by a genuine passion, boundless enthusiasm, and a deep love for the students she served.’
A close friend launched a GoFundMe campaign to help her husband with finances.
‘Ash’s presence resonated deeply, not just as an exceptional educator, but also as a cherished friend, a devoted partner and a loving mother,’
‘Over the past nine months, we had the privilege of witnessing Ash embrace her most exceptional role yet: that of being a mother. This journey was marked by unwavering love and dedication.
‘Her profound adoration for [her daughter] was evident in the countless hours she dedicated to nurturing her and celebrating every milestone.’