A 19-year-old woman from Hounslow faced a devastating double tragedy when she was fired from her job and then discovered her father had died of a heart attack at home. Carmen Cunha had just finished her shift and was told she was being laid off. When she arrived home, she found her father, Manuel, cold on the floor.
A Day of Tragedy
On May 5, Carmen and her mother went to work as usual, while Manuel, a 72-year-old hotel chef at Heathrow, rested at home due to a bad leg. When Carmen's mother couldn't reach Manuel by phone, she asked Carmen to check on him. Carmen found him on the floor and called 999, but it was too late. Paramedics confirmed he had died hours earlier from a heart attack caused by a blood clot.
A Hardworking Man
Manuel had moved from Portugal to England 20 years ago, working his way up from waiter to chef. Carmen described him as a hardworking man who never complained, despite his age. He was the family's main earner, and his sudden death has left them struggling to afford a funeral, which will cost around £9,000.
Carmen has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover expenses, as she is now jobless. She said, 'Our house is so quiet now. It used to be so loud, but now with the quietness, you can't help but think about it.' The family is grieving, but Carmen is trying to stay busy and support her mother, who sometimes speaks to Manuel as if he were still there.
To donate to the family's fundraiser, visit the GoFundMe page. Stay updated on West London news by signing up for the MyWestLondon newsletter.
