Identical twin, 21, dies just a week after developing cough

An identical twin lost her sister just a week after she developed a cough and had breathing difficulties.

Chloe and Courtney Franklin were best friends until they were separated by an unspeakable tragedy two-and-a-half years ago. When Chloe developed a cough and began struggling to breathe in February 2020, she went to her GP just to be on the safe side.

Following the check-up she was referred straight to University Hospital Llandough, on the outskirts of Cardiff, for more tests and given a course of antibiotics. Just 24 hours later the 21-year-old woman found herself in intensive care at the University Hospital of Wales when her condition failed to improve, and three days later was placed in an induced coma, WalesOnline reports.

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"She had a severe infection in her lungs and the doctors said the induced coma would give her lungs a break and allow her to heal," recalled twin sister Courtney. "As the week progressed, they thought it was working and started to bring her off sedation.

"Unfortunately, she then developed sepsis and later had a massive stroke, which was so severe that the neurosurgeons could not operate. We were told she was brain dead and there was nothing more they could do. This all happened in just a week."

Courtney, 23, from Llandaff North, Cardiff, said Chloe was due to start a new job as a receptionist but really wanted to be a children's nurse. "In fact, she has inspired me to train [to be a nurse] and I start university in September," she added.

"We were joined at the hip and did everything together. She was my best friend and the one person I never imagined not being here. Every