Sister pays tribute after 13 year old girl tragically dies

Jessica Jurmakova died on Monday after suffering a medical episode at the family’s home on Clive Place, off Horton Grange Road, Bradford.

Police and paramedics were called to the address at around 10am on Monday, where Jessica had suffered from a currently unknown medical situation.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

Jessica and her mum, Klara Jurmakova and dad, Martin Jurmak (Image: UGC)

Martina Ashley Jurmakova, 24, the eldest of her seven siblings, of which Jessica was the youngest, has paid tribute saying "she was more than my best friend."

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She said: “We are in so much shock.

“We still can’t believe what has happened.

“She was only 13, she had so many things left to do.

“Jessica was the nicest person, she was a happy girl, and she loved playing with my kids and laughing with them.

“She loved them, and they loved her so much.”

The family is overwhelmed with grief with the loss of Jessica and can’t put into words how devastated they are.

Jessica’s family moved to the UK from Slovakia many years ago, but wish to take Jessica’s body back to Slovakia for the funeral and the burial.

Martina added: “She was playing and then she went upstairs, and she was sick, she went to lie down and my mum found her - she was all blue.

Jessica Jurmakova, 13 tragically died earlier this week after suffering a medical episode. Image: UGC (Image: UGC)

“Dad was trying to massage her heart but nothing.

“It was really scary.

“She was a healthy girl, there was nothing wrong with her.

“We still can’t believe it.”

Martina and her family are currently waiting on medical experts to tell them the cause of Jessica’s death.

She said: “We don’t know happened and we are in so much shock.

“She was more than my best friend.

“I remember looking after her when she was younger, and we would laugh together.

“We got her everything she wanted- she liked having things.

“Everyone loved her so much, she was such a kind person.

“We all have so many memories of her.

“She could come to my house and eat with us and laugh with us.

“She was more than my best friend; she was the best of all my brothers and sisters.

“My mom and dad love her so much and we are all crying for her.

“She died so early.”

Jessica Jurmakova, was 'everything' to her family. Image: UGC (Image: UGC)

The family has asked for people to pray for Jessica and to keep her in their thoughts.

Martina added: “We are praying for her soul and crying for her.

“We pray she goes to heaven and God keeps her close.

“We see her everywhere now in the house, it’s very hard. She was everything to us.

“We just can’t believe she’s gone.

Jessica’s extended family in Slovakia is waiting for her body to be brought home so they can pay their respects to Jessica and her family.

“As soon as we get the death certificate, we are going to take her home to Slovakia, that’s where we want her to be.”

Jessica was a popular person but as she didn’t attend school in Bradford, outside of her family circle she didn’t have many friends.

“She was so good with my kids, she loved them and loved playing with them.

“We all cared for her so much.

“She’ll be in our hearts and mind for life.”

Councillor Nazam Azam of the City ward said: “Our heartfelt thoughts are with the family and friends of the young person who lost their life.

“The relevant authorities are aware of the situation and enquiries are being made.”

A resident of the street was ‘distressed’ by what he had seen on Snapchat regarding the passing of Jessica.

Flowers had been left outside her home, by a thoughtful neighbour.

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