Cause of death released after 8-year-old girl dies on flight while vacationing with family

PEORIA, Ill. (WEEK/Gray News) - A cause of death has been determined for an 8-year-old Missouri girl who suffered a medical emergency on a flight that caused it to divert to a city in Illinois.

In June, Sydney Weston, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her family when she suddenly became ill and then unresponsive in flight.

The Chicago-bound flight diverted to Peoria. When the plane landed, Sydney was not breathing and had no pulse.

Authorities immediately began life-saving measures and took Sydney to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said Sydney’s death was caused by complications from chronic primary adrenalitis in the setting of multiple infections, including strep and enterovirus.

Weston also had duodenitis, which is inflammation in the first part of one’s small intestine, along with thyroiditis, a general term for thyroid gland inflammation.

The three diagnoses are suggestive of an underlying autoimmune disorder, Harwood said. An autoimmune disorder is when one’s immune system attacks healthy cells of organs and tissues, disrupting their normal operating function.

According to her obituary, Sydney was a week away from celebrating her 9th birthday, with big plans for a skating party.

“She will forever be remembered for the happiness she brought to every single person she encountered,” the obituary reads. “Our hearts are heavy. She was our baby girl and we celebrate her beautiful life.”

A GoFundMe has been established to help Sydney’s family pay for funeral expenses. As of Monday, more than $22,000 of its $25,000 have been fundraised.

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