Nursing influencer Hailey Okula has died shortly after giving birth to her first child.
Hailey’s husband, Matthew Okula, took to Instagram on Tuesday, April 1, to confirm the news, writing, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share the devastating news of the unexpected passing of my beautiful wife, Hailey Marie Okula, due to complications from childbirth.”
Matthew reflected on Hailey’s legacy in the social media post. (Hailey’s age at the time of her death was not disclosed.)
“Words cannot convey the depth of the loss I feel. Hailey was more than I could have ever dreamed of in a wife and partner,” he continued. “She was gorgeous, smart, hardworking, passionate, trustworthy, and above all else, unbelievably loyal. For nearly 13 years, she stood by my side in the hardest of times, loving me endlessly, even when I felt undeserving of that love. She was my everything.”
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Before her death, Hailey used her platform to support newly graduated nurses. She launched her RN New Grads program in 2019, which offers “educational resources, interview help” and more, according to the website. The ER nurse also candidly discussed her infertility struggles before announcing her pregnancy in September 2024.
“Hailey’s strength was unparalleled. Words can’t describe how badly we wanted to be parents. After years of infertility struggles and a long, challenging IVF process, we were overjoyed to be expecting Crew,” Matthew, who works for the Los Angeles Fire Department, wrote. “Hailey faced every hurdle with so much courage and love—even though her body went through so much, she never wavered.”
Matthew recalled the challenges he and Hailey faced before the arrival of their son, Crew, who was born on Saturday, March 29.
“I will never forget the moment I broke down, apologizing for the toll the process would take on her. She held my face, looked into my eyes, and said, ‘We are a team, and we’ll get through this together.’ That was Hailey. A fighter. A teammate. A woman who would do anything for the people she loved,” he concluded. “Though her time with us was tragically cut short, Hailey’s love for Crew was limitless, long before he entered this world. She would have been the most amazing mom. Her spirit, courage, and love will live on in our son, and through everyone whose lives she touched.”
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The LAFD paid tribute to Hailey with their own statement, which read, “On March 29, 2025, during the delivery of their child, Mrs. Hailey Okula, wife of LAFD Engineer Matthew Okula, tragically passed away.”
Local news station Fox 11 Los Angeles reported that Hailey went into cardiac arrest minutes after giving birth to Crew. A GoFundMe has since been set up to help Matthew and Crew amid their tragic loss.
“On what should have been the happiest day of their lives, Firefighter Matt Okula experienced the unimaginable,” read the crowd funding page. “They faced every challenge together, determined to build the family they had dreamed of for so long. But in an instant, that dream was shattered. Matt is not one to ask for help—but those who know him, especially his brothers and sisters in the fire service, know the kind of man he is. A man who has dedicated his life to protecting others. Now, it’s our turn to protect him.”
