Young Mother, 25, Found Dead During Albania Holiday — Her 2-Year-Old Daughter Was Beside Her

A short holiday abroad ended in heartbreaking tragedy for a young Scottish mother whose two-year-old daughter was found alive beside her after a cleaner made a devastating discovery at their rented apartment.

Ferne King, 25, from Fife, Scotland, was found dead on October 8, 2026, at holiday accommodation in Durrës, a coastal city in Albania. She had travelled there with her young daughter for what was reportedly intended to be a three-day break.

According to reports cited by PEOPLE, a cleaner arrived at the apartment for a scheduled visit and discovered King in bed. Her daughter was beside her and appeared to be unharmed. Emergency services were contacted, and the child was subsequently placed in the care of local social services.

The circumstances surrounding King’s sudden death remain unclear. Local reports suggested she may have suffered a cardiac arrest, but authorities were awaiting official toxicology results to establish the cause. Investigators reportedly did not suspect foul play at the time of the reports.

Back in Scotland, family members and friends were left mourning the loss of a young woman remembered as a devoted mother and a cherished member of her family. A funeral announcement described King as a beloved daughter and sister, a loving granddaughter and aunt, and a good friend to many.

Her death has also left her loved ones facing the difficult task of bringing her home from overseas. Reports said her family launched a fundraising appeal after being told that repatriation could cost around £10,000.

For those who knew Ferne, the tragedy means far more than the unanswered questions surrounding her final days. She leaves behind a young daughter and a family now trying to navigate an unimaginable loss.

The cause of her death has not been officially confirmed in the reports available, and investigators’ findings remain important to understanding what happened.

Sources:  PEOPLE — Mother, 25, Found Dead by Cleaner in Vacation Rental with 2-Year-Old Daughter