Twin Sisters, Age 4, Die After Falling Asleep in Toy Chest — Heartbroken Mom Issues Urgent Warning
What was once a safe and happy family home became the site of unimaginable tragedy when 4-year-old twins, Kellan and Aurora, lost their lives in 2023. Their grieving mother, Sadie Myers, is now sharing her painful story in hopes of preventing other families from experiencing the same heartbreak.
A Normal Night Turns into Tragedy
On that Friday evening, Sadie was working late while her husband, Don Starr, tucked their children into bed. When she returned, she quietly checked on her little ones, had dinner, and went to sleep herself. It seemed like just another ordinary night.
But sometime later, Kellan and Aurora woke up and, instead of staying in their beds, decided to make a cozy nest in a cedar toy chest the family used to store stuffed animals.
“They pulled out most of the toys, left just a few to keep it comfy, and climbed inside together,” Sadie later wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post. “They laid down head to toe, one with an arm across the other. I imagine they said, ‘Good night, Kell Kell’ and ‘Night night, Sissy’ before drifting off.”
A Hidden Danger No One Expected
At some point in the night, one of the girls must have shifted in her sleep, causing the lid of the chest to fall shut. What the parents did not realize — and what many families may not know — is that older cedar chests can be airtight and nearly soundproof once closed.
“As they slept, all cuddled together, the air slowly ran out,” Sadie explained. “They never even knew it was happening. There was no gasping, no struggle. Just a slow transition from sleep to passing on.”
By Saturday morning, the twins were missing from their beds. Panic spread through the house as the family searched. It was one of their older siblings who finally made the devastating discovery.
“Mommy, I found them!” he called out. “They’re so silly, just sleeping in the toy box.”
Sadie rushed into the room but knew within seconds that something was terribly wrong. “I realized instantly it was already too late,” she wrote. “It makes no sense to me and never will. If you have a toy box like this, please destroy it immediately.”
A Father’s Silent Grief
Don, still reeling from shock, waited days before sharing his own words publicly, clinging to the hope that this was all just a terrible dream. When reality sank in, he poured out his anguish:
“My beautiful family was stricken by tragedy — the loss of our beautiful, perfect twins. Please send love, strength, and good energy to Sadie, my big boys, and me. Hug and kiss those kids for me — even the grown-up ones. I love you all.”
A Warning That Could Save Lives
The family’s message is clear: what looks like an innocent household item can conceal deadly risks. Many toy chests, especially older cedar ones, were designed in ways that prevent air circulation when closed. They can trap children silently, without anyone in the house realizing what’s happening.
Sadie hopes her daughters’ story will raise awareness and inspire other parents to take precautions before another tragedy occurs.
Remembering Kellan and Aurora
Kellan and Aurora were described by their family as joyful, inseparable, and full of love for each other. They left this world the same way they lived in it — side by side, holding on to each other.
“Rest in peace, my sweet girls,” Sadie wrote. “You will always be in our hearts.”