Mother-of-Two Charlotte Coxon Dies at 39 from Brain Cancer After Missing Early Signs

A heartbroken husband has shared the painful story of how his wife died from a fast-growing brain cancer. He hopes to help others spot early symptoms that are often ignored.

Charlotte Coxon, a 39-year-old mother-of-two from Leicestershire, began feeling unwell in late 2021. She had sudden headaches that came out of nowhere. At the same time, she noticed she was struggling with everyday tasks. Writing and driving became difficult.

By January 2022, Charlotte visited her GP. The doctor referred her to the hospital for more tests. She had both CT and MRI scans. Sadly, doctors found that Charlotte had glioblastoma. It is the most aggressive type of brain tumour. Doctors gave her only 12 to 18 months to live.

Charlotte quickly had surgery to remove the tumour. Then, she began six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Her husband, Johnny Coxon, also 39, said, “We hoped removing the tumour would solve everything.”

Despite her illness, Charlotte stayed strong. She stayed active and focused on helping others. She volunteered at her son’s school and joined the “Friends of Burton School” (FOBS), a group that raises funds for the school.

From 2022 until early 2024, Charlotte did not show any major new symptoms. This gave her family time to enjoy life. They went on holidays together. Charlotte made sure to spend quality time with her children, Thomas and Anna.

But in March 2024, the cancer returned. Scans showed the tumour had grown. Charlotte’s health quickly got worse. In July, she woke up one night in extreme pain due to a migraine. She was taken to hospital. Sadly, on July 9, 2024, she died surrounded by her family.

Johnny shared how Charlotte bravely prepared their children for what was coming. “She had a deep understanding of grief,” he said. “She wanted our children to feel supported.”

Thomas, 6, and Anna, 3, miss their mum every day. But their dad says they are coping well. “Charlotte would be proud of how strong they are,” he said.

Now the family is working to raise awareness and money for Brain Tumour Research. They want to help find a cure so others don’t have to go through the same loss.

“Charlotte was an amazing mother,” said Johnny. “She was always full of laughter. She was warm, kind, and had many friends.”

Since her death, the family has found it very hard. But they are determined to make a difference. “We want to support Brain Tumour Research,” said Johnny. “We want to help stop this terrible disease.”

Charlotte’s story is a reminder that early signs of brain cancer can be easy to miss. Headaches, changes in daily habits, or difficulty with simple tasks should never be ignored.

The family hopes that by sharing her story, they can help others get an earlier diagnosis — and a better chance at survival.