A mother has shared her heartbreak after her daughter was discovered lifeless in a McDonald’s toilet in Edinburgh, six hours after being seen entering the restroom.
Michaela Sharp, 32, was tragically found dead at the South St Andrew Street branch of the fast-food chain in the early hours of June 14. Her mother, Aurora Light, 52, from Bo’ness near Falkirk, said CCTV footage showed Michaela entering the bathroom at around 9pm the previous evening. The door was not opened until nearly 3am the following morning. Emergency crews were called to the scene, but unfortunately, Michaela could not be saved.
Aurora described the situation as “unthinkable,” saying, “Just the thought of your child being left cold like that in the toilets for six hours is unthinkable. Knowing the restaurant was open with people around breaks my heart. By the time the ambulance got there, there was nothing they could do.”
The mother explained that Michaela had suffered from multiple health issues, including seizures, but the exact cause of death is currently unclear. “She has had seizures caused by health issues before where we had to call an ambulance, but all we know is it was sudden,” Aurora said.
Aurora recounted the moment police delivered the tragic news. She had been staying with her mother when officers arrived. “All I could hear was her sobbing and saying, ‘It can’t be true. Is she really gone?’ I couldn’t understand what had happened,” Aurora said. She added that her mother was left “sobbing on the doorstep” upon hearing the news.
Reflecting on what could have been done differently, Aurora believes her daughter might have been saved if McDonald’s staff had checked the toilets. “If someone had just found her in the first half an hour and called an ambulance, she might still be here today. If only someone had checked, someone could have saved my little girl. It’s the what ifs that will haunt me forever.”
The South St Andrew Street branch is one of Edinburgh’s busiest McDonald’s locations and is particularly popular among revellers heading home from nights out. A spokesperson for McDonald’s offered condolences to Michaela’s family, stating: “Our restaurant team worked closely with Police Scotland to assist at the time of their investigation and will continue to support if required. We have offered support to any of our restaurant team who have been affected.”
Police Scotland confirmed the circumstances of the death, stating, “Around 2.55am on Saturday, June 14, 2025, we were called to a report of a woman having taken unwell in the South St Andrew Street area of Edinburgh. Emergency services attended, and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. There are no suspicious circumstances.”
Tragically, this incident comes weeks before another similar case in Edinburgh. Sean Stephen, 38, was discovered dead in a toilet at the Edinburgh City Chambers on July 7. His body was in an advanced state of decomposition after being reported missing on July 1. Police Scotland said the circumstances of his death were referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).
Aurora’s story highlights both the sudden nature of health emergencies and the importance of timely checks in public spaces. Her grief and anguish reflect the profound impact such preventable tragedies can have on families.
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