A family in Middlesbrough came together to bury a beloved son and brother, but what was meant to be a final goodbye turned into an unthinkable second tragedy — right at the chapel doors.
It all began when 41-year-old David Beilicki was found dead at a relative’s home on July 31. David had struggled with drug addiction for years, but recently, he had been turning his life around. His family had been so hopeful. The cause of his death is still being investigated, but for them, the loss already felt unbearable.
Adding to the heartbreak, David’s death fell on a painful date — exactly ten years after the memorial of his stillborn twin sons, Karson and Deacon. That anniversary already brought heavy memories, and now it carried even more sorrow.
On August 21, the family gathered at St Bede’s Chapel in Teesside Crematorium for David’s funeral. Friends and relatives filled the chapel, many holding flowers, others with tears they could no longer hide. The air was thick with grief and disbelief.
As mourners gently lifted David’s coffin and began carrying it into the chapel, something unimaginable happened. His father, Norman “Nosha” White, suddenly stumbled and collapsed right at the doors. Gasps and screams filled the air.
“Dad! Dad, please!” cried his daughter Chantelle, rushing toward him. Family members and mourners surrounded him in panic as someone shouted for an ambulance. Within minutes, paramedics arrived and began working desperately to save him.
Norman, 61, was rushed to the hospital, but despite all efforts, he couldn’t be revived. He passed away that same day — while his family remained inside, saying their last goodbyes to his son.
Later, Chantelle could barely find the words. Through tears, she said softly,
“I think he must have died from a broken heart. Seeing all of us there together, saying goodbye to David… it must have just been too much for him.”
Doctors have a name for what may have happened — “broken heart syndrome.” According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s a condition triggered by extreme grief or emotional stress, often mimicking a heart attack with symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath. Many people recover, but sometimes, the shock is too much for the heart to handle.
The family later shared a funeral notice confirming Norman’s sudden passing on August 21 — the same day as his son’s service. He was remembered as a devoted father to Stephen, Chantelle, Marvin, Eron, Curtis, Nicole, and the late David.
He was also described as a much-loved grandad, great-grandad, brother, uncle, and friend, someone who had always been there for others. His own funeral was scheduled for September 18 at St Hilda’s Chapel, Teesside Crematorium, followed by burial at Acklam Cemetery.
Just two days after losing both her brother and father, Chantelle took to social media to share the heartbreaking news. Her message read like a cry from the soul:
“We’ve lost our dad — just days after losing David. He collapsed before he even saw his son laid to rest. The stress was too much for him. Please, everyone, live life to the fullest. Dad was only 61 and so full of life.”
Her words touched hundreds of people, many of whom sent messages of love and support.
A week later, Chantelle posted another tribute to her father — this time sharing a personal memory that showed his softer side, a side few ever saw. She wrote about the time she had been hospitalized for nine long weeks with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare illness that had nearly taken her life.
“I remember Dad standing by my hospital bed,” she wrote. “He was crying — really crying — and asked the doctors if I was going to make it. I’d only ever seen him cry once before that. He tried to be strong for everyone, but that day, he couldn’t hold it in.”
She remembered the moment she was finally discharged from the hospital and how proud her father had been. “He hugged me so tight,” she added. “He kept saying, ‘You’re stronger than anyone I know, love.’ But really, I learned that strength from him.”
Now, Chantelle and her family face life without both David and Norman — two men lost within hours of each other. Their story has touched hearts all across Middlesbrough, a reminder of how deep love and grief can run.
As Chantelle said at the end of her post,
“Dad’s heart couldn’t take the pain of losing David. But I like to believe they’re together now — my dad, my brother, and those two little angels, Karson and Deacon. Maybe this time, they’re all at peace.”