A man in England has died after being bitten by a venomous spider he reportedly ordered online.
Mark Anthony Kirby,38, passed away on August 2, just days after returning from a family trip to Scotland, where he first began experiencing flu-like symptoms linked to the spider bite.
According to PEOPLE, Kirby’s ex-partner Kayleigh Gill revealed that he had purchased spiders weeks before his death. The incident has raised major concerns about the dangers of ordering exotic and potentially lethal animals online.
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What Happened Before His Death
Kirby traveled with Gill and other relatives to Scotland in late July. During a family dinner, he admitted he wasn’t feeling well but brushed it off and continued to socialize.
When the family returned to their home in Merseyside, England, on July 26, Kirby’s condition worsened. He began suffering from flu-like symptoms and complained of pain in his limbs.
On August 2, he phoned his sister to say he was having difficulty breathing. Shortly after, he collapsed. Paramedics treated him at the scene, but tragically, he passed away soon after.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the official cause of death or which spider species Kirby purchased.
Family Speaks Out
Kayleigh Gill, his ex and mother of his two children, shared heartfelt words about Kirby:
“He was a brilliant dad to our two children and was always the life and soul of the party.”
Gill added that despite his decision to buy spiders, he had always been terrified of insects when they were together. She suggested he may have purchased them for companionship after moving into his own home.
She also emphasized his role as a devoted father who “put our children first.”
