A police officer has been left devastated after his wife took her own life just nine days after giving birth to twins amid a brutal battle with postpartum depression.
Stephen and Ariana Sutton, from Norton, Massachusetts, welcomed premature twins Everly Irene and Rowan Stephen in May – but their early arrival ‘brought unforeseen challenges.’
The mother-of-three faced ‘immense’ strain on her mental health and took her own life at home less than two weeks after their arrival.
Her family are now hoping to share their story in a bid to raise awareness of postpartum depression.
Ariana, who was a keen dancer and co-owned a performing arts academy, had been ‘eagerly awaiting the arrival of her twins,’ her family said on a GoFundMe page.
But the babies were born a month early and placed in the neonatal intensive care unit at Newton-Wellesley Hospital – where they will stay through the official due date.
Ariana’s family, who described her as a ‘vibrant and devoted mother,’ said that their premature arrival ‘brought unforeseen challenges, placing an immense strain on [her] mental health.’
They added: ‘Despite her relentless efforts to seek help, the burden of postpartum depression became too much to bear.’
Stephen’s brother Jason said: ‘Ariana wanted these kids so badly. She lived to be a mother.
‘The twins, along with the couple’s four-year-old daughter Melody Ki, now face ‘the heartbreaking reality of growing up without her mother.’
The family are now aiming to raise awareness of postpartum depression.
Ariana’s sister-in-law, Catherine Sutton told Enterprise News: ‘It’s so important that you ask for help. If another family’s able to avoid what we’re going through right now, it’s worth it to share our story.’
The fundraising page also concluded: ‘By fostering a supportive community, we can strive to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies.
‘In memory of Ariana Sutton, let us unite to honor her legacy, celebrate her love for her children, and provide the support her family desperately needs.’
Money raised will be put toward easing the financial strain and supporting the family’s needs to allow Stephen to ‘focus on his children’s well-being during this difficult time.’
