Emily Mitchell death: Pregnant Instagram influencer dies at 36

A 36-year-old Instagram influencer, who was pregnant with her fifth child, died this week her family has confirmed.

Emily Mitchell, from Rhode Island, ran the Instagram account The Hidden Way, where she had more than 112,000 followers.

She died “unexpectedly in the morning of 22 December 2020,” according to a GoFundMe account set up for her family.

“Our dear Emily and her precious unborn baby left us unexpectedly in the morning of 22 December 2020. Our hearts are broken and her joyful presence will be greatly missed by so many. Em made a big impact in so many people’s lives, and this loss is incomprehensible for anyone who knew her,” the GoFundMe reads. “Our friend was a dedicated mom and wife, she had a heart for the Lord, and loved her children so dearly.”

According to the GoFundMe, the young mother was having coffee and breakfast when she “suddenly became unresponsive,” with her family and medical personnel unable to save her.

Her cause of death is currently unknown, The fundraiser states that “doctors are still working on answers for her family.”

In an obituary for Mitchell, she is described as “a devoted wife and incredible mother to her four children,” who “possessed a deep faith that was the foundation for everything in her life”.

“Beautiful inside and out, Emily had an infectious smile and a kind, compassionate spirit. Her exuberant personality radiated outwardly in her interactions and relationships with all who knew her. Emily was a symbol of strength during the most challenging of times for so many,” the obituary reads, adding that the 36-year-old was also a “talented musician, singer, recording artist, and music teacher”.

Mitchell, who had children, Finn, Isla, Eden and Luna with her husband Joseph Mitchell, first announced she was expecting her fifth child in November when she shared a photo of herself and her husband holding a sonogram.

“YOU GUYS. NUMBER FIVE. Who guessed the secret?!!! You’ve probably noticed I’ve been a little MIA..welp this be the reason lol,” she captioned the photo, adding that she was 11 weeks pregnant.

In Mitchell’s most recent photo, shared on 8 December, she revealed that the pregnancy would be her fifth C-section and celebrated all journeys to motherhood.

“My plan was never to have five C-sections. But you can be sure I’m darn thankful for them. Even if I did grieve with my first at missing out on what the ‘real motherhood experience’ was supposed to be,” she wrote at the time. “How I feel now? It doesn’t matter how they get here. It only matters THAT THEY GET HERE. And are so deeply LOVED.”

As of Friday, the GoFundMe for Mitchell’s family has raised $150,410, surpassing its goal of $100,000.