Caitlin Leggett, a 24-year-old woman whose leukaemia diagnosis led to the surprising discovery that she was an identical twin, has died just weeks after a public fundraiser was launched for her life-saving treatment. Ms Leggett, described by her family as "warm and bubbly," passed away on 15 June 2026, surrounded by her loved ones, after her health rapidly deteriorated.
Ms Leggett was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in April 2025. During the assessment of her sister Grace as a potential stem cell donor, doctors discovered that the twins, previously believed to be fraternal due to developing in separate amniotic sacs, shared identical genetic markers. This unexpected revelation, while surprising, complicated treatment options as Grace was subsequently deemed ineligible to donate stem cells to Caitlin due to their near-identical DNA.
Following months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in December 2025, Ms Leggett achieved complete remission. However, in May 2026, doctors confirmed the cancer had returned, giving her a prognosis of six months to live. In response, her family initiated a GoFundMe campaign on 2 June 2026, aiming to raise funds for potentially curative treatment abroad. The appeal quickly garnered significant support, raising over £100,000 by 10 June 2026.
Tragically, on 13 June 2026, Ms Leggett experienced a sudden and severe brain bleed, followed by a series of strokes. Her condition worsened quickly, and she died two days later. Her twin sister Grace shared that Caitlin had been afraid of a slow death, expressing gratitude that her passing was swift and peaceful. Ms Leggett was surrounded by her parents, Jennifer and Ian, and siblings Grace, Ethan, and Neve, with music from her favourite pianist, Patrik Pietschmann, playing.
The family recounted cherished memories, including a recent outing where Caitlin, Grace, and Neve tried on bridesmaids' dresses for their father's upcoming wedding, where Caitlin was due to be maid of honour. Her sister Neve said Caitlin had expressed being the "happiest she'd ever been in her last two weeks." Her mother, Jennifer, remembered Caitlin as "a warm, bubbly, humble and loving daughter who was considerate and endlessly kind to others," praising her "fiercely independently-minded and stoic attitude to life."