A woman from York has been left heartbroken after her loving son passed away unexpectedly just days before Christmas.
Marcus Edwards, 33, was found dead in his room by his mum, Sarah Edwards, on 20 December.
Marcus contracted a bacterial infection a few weeks prior to his passing, but the coroner’s results have so far come back as inconclusive.

Sarah is devastated. “I feel hollow,” she told YorkMix. She has now launched a fundraiser to help with the cost of his funeral.
Marcus lived on Leeman Road and worked as a builder. “Marcus would do absolutely anything for anyone,” Sarah said.
“He would often do jobs for people on Leeman Road and not charge for them.”
Marcus had three children, four-year-old Huxley, three-year-old Ava-Grace, and his stepdaughter, Alicia, five.
He also leaves behind his partner, Jacqui, and a wide group of family and friends.
The “cheeky chappy” was incredibly popular. He enjoyed playing pool and darts, listening to music, and obsessing over motorbikes.
Marcus and his Mum had a wonderful relationship, full of love and laughter.
He would often joke with Sarah about how much he loved his ginger hair, as it was “current and attracted the ladies,” she told YorkMix.
“Marcus was incredibly loving, he was funny, and courageous,” Sarah added.
When Marcus wasn’t working, he was a regular at the gym, and often got called ‘muscles’ due to his large frame.
But beneath Marcus’ macho exterior he had an incredibly soft nature, and was “like the big jolly giant,” his mum said.
Marcus’ confidence dropped after he was involved in a motorbike accident, during the first lockdown in 2020, where he sustained a bruise on the brain.
“It was nothing too untoward, but it emotionally, physically and mentally scarred Marcus.
“To cope, he went on bike rides, walks, to the gym, and he absolutely loved music.
“He never wanted anyone to know how he felt, because he was one of those men who tried to hide it,” Sarah told us.
Admitted to hospital

On 8 December, 12 days before he died, Marcus was admitted to York Hospital after feeling unwell with a high temperature of 38.8°C.
After an examination and various blood tests, it was confirmed Marcus had the bacterial infection cellulitis in both of his hands.
Over the course of six days, he was treated in hospital with medication for the infection and his high temperature.
He was discharged on 14 December with oral antibiotics and pain relief.
Within 24 hours of the discharge, Marcus and his family contracted Covid 19.
Devastatingly, it seems this, coming on top of fighting the infection, was too much for Marcus’ body to handle.
Friday 20 December began as normal for Sarah, but she realised that Marcus wasn’t up as early as usual.

“Myself and Marcus get up very early, between six and seven, so when he wasn’t up I thought it was strange,” Sarah said.
Marcus had complained the night before of feeling like his body was on fire, but reassured Sarah that he was happy to take some pain relief and get to bed, rather than seeking medical support.
Sarah’s neighbour popped round at 10.30am and asked for a hand wrapping Christmas presents.
Sarah agreed, and the pair spent their morning wrapping the gifts.
Her friend left at around noon, and Sarah decided to go in and check on Marcus. And that’s when she discovered he had died.
The coroner’s results for Marcus’ death have so far come back as inconclusive, but further tests are ongoing.

‘Life has stopped’
“I feel like everyone’s life is going on and mine has just stopped,” Sarah said.
“There’s so many horrible people in this world, I don’t understand why they chose to take Marcus,” Sarah added.
The family have been reading children’s books on loss to Marcus’ kids to help them cope.
“Marcus always did the bedtime stories, and we thought because books are such a big part of the children’s lives, it would be a really good way of trying to let them know,” Sarah said.
Sarah hopes Marcus’ funeral, which will take place on 29 January, will be a true celebration of the man he was.
She initially turned down her friend’s suggestion to crowdfund the costs, but after exploring other options realised it was the only way.
Sarah said: “I’m a very proud and private person, but as a Mum, I want to give my son the service he deserves. On my own, I’m just not able to do it.”
You can donate via the GoFundMe page here.
Something that brings Sarah comfort during this dark time, is the fact that Marcus had gone to sleep on 19 December looking forward to the day ahead.
“Marcus was was excited as he was seeing his kids the next day, so he went to sleep happy.
“We’d also just recently dressed the Christmas tree together too, something we hadn’t done since he’d left home at 19, which is special” Sarah revealed.
She believes Marcus deserves the best send off possible and aims to raise £3,000, alongside her own money, to honour his memory.
Sarah told YorkMix she would be eternally grateful for any contribution to this, no matter how big or small, and is truly humbled at what has been donated already.