Layla-Maria Grubb, an 18-year-old dancer from Sydney, tragically passed away on July 28, 2025, after experiencing what is believed to have been a fatal seizure. Earlier that day, she had been discharged from the hospital after suffering her first seizure, only to suffer another at home shortly afterward.

Her mother, Beth Ashton, expressed the family’s heartbreak, saying, “We are absolutely broken, there is nothing that can take this pain away … Life will never be the same.”

Following her death, questions arose about Grubb’s treatment. A spokesperson from New South Wales Health extended condolences but stated the case was referred to the NSW Coroner, preventing further comment.

Grubb had trained for three years at Village Nation, a Sydney dance school, where she was known for her positivity and remarkable presence. Briden Starr, the school’s director, described Grubb as “the sweetest girl” who “lit up every room she walked into.”

In a heartfelt tribute, her mother reflected on Grubb’s passion for life and dance, saying her “laughter, kindness, and beautiful spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered.”

Grubb’s dance community rallied around her family, launching a GoFundMe campaign that raised more than $17,000, surpassing its goal. As investigations continue, her loved ones hold onto the memories of her warmth and the light she brought to everyone she met.