The 17-year-old became well-known after sharing her battle with the premature aging disease progeria, becoming known as the ‘100-year-old teenager’.
The sad news was announced on her official Facebook page last night, by her devastated mother Kerry.
“My baby has gone somewhere better. She took her last breath in my arms at 9.39pm,” wrote Kerry.
Hayley’s story gained worldwide attention when she appeared in a television documentary and wrote a book on her condition, entitled Old Before My Time.
Hayley, from East Sussex, was not expected to live past the age of 13, and had worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funding for the condition throughout her short life.
The teenager had been in hospital recently after developing pneumonia, returning home just yesterday before passing away.
Paying tribute to brave Hayley, the Progeria Research Foundation posted on its Facebook page: “The entire Progeria family mourns together with many as we say goodbye to Hayley Okines, our smart, beautiful and spirited English rose, who passed away today at age 17.”
Such sad news. Our hearts go out to Hayley’s family at this tragic time.
