Young woman died from extremely rare blood disorder after starting her ‘dream job’ at a museum

A YOUNG woman who had just started her "dream job" in a museum died from a rare blood disorder after days of complaining she felt unwell.
Tragic Holly Marston, 27, had begun working as a conservator-restorer.

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The role involves preserving ancient artefacts in a way that retains their authenticity.
Holly died after she collapsed in the shower at her shared home in Leeds, West Yorks.

Her devastated mother has said it was a "sad end to a brilliant life".

A post mortem revealed Holly died from rare blood disorder Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP).

It occurs when blood clots form in small blood vessels in the body.

The clots can limit or block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the major organs.

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Postgraduate Holly had spent years studying archaeology and artefacts conservation.

She had worked on placements at museums across Leeds, including the Royal Armouries.

Holly had only been working full-time as a senior conservator at Clifton Park Museum, in Rotherham, South Yorks, for a few months when she died in July last year.

Her inquest heard that her housemates were concerned she had been in the shower a long time.

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Joe Brinton, who she lived with, broke down the bathroom door and tried to revive her.

When paramedics arrived she was already dead.

Her inquest heard that Holly had told friends she had been feeling unwell in the days leading up to her death.

Reflecting on his daughter's passion for history, Holly's father Phillip said: “It was definitely her dream job.

“Since her teenage years it was always something she fancied doing. So she had studied archaeology at university and then done a masters. She was really excited about finally getting to do what she wanted to do full-time.”

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, West Yorkshire Coroner David Hinchliff said: “For reasons we don’t entirely understand, she developed this TTP condition.”