My husband of 4 years died days after I gave birth – when police gave me his phone back I made a devastating discovery
A NEW mum made a shocking discovering when her husband died just days after she gave birth to their son.
Marianne Fraser, 32, was in a blissful baby bubble after welcoming her son Soren in December 2022 with her husband, Liam, 25, a musician.
But on New Year’s Eve she walked in, holding her new son, to find Liam after he had taken his own life.
Marianne’s world fell apart and she was readmitted to hospital with Soren as she was so grief-stricken she was unable to eat.
When she returned home the police gave her back her husband’s phone and a quick look through it set her world spinning.
She discovered Liam had been unfaithful through their marriage after finding text messages and a gift card.
Heartbroken, Marianne put all her energy into looking after her son and making music.
She is now about to release her new album before setting off to travel South East Asia with Soren, now 19 months.
“I found him, I was holding Soren,” said Marianne, a primary school teacher and musician, from the Scottish Highlands.
“I still have blanks in my memory from it, I was unable to eat and was readmitted to hospital for a few days.”
When she got home and was given Liam’s clothes and phone back from the police she found evidence of his affair.
“I found phone calls to a person while I was in labour,” Marianne said.
“It was just blow after blow, I kept thinking I’d wake up from some post birth painkiller.
“It feels like it’s all very tainted.”
Despite the initial shock, Marianne is now glad she knows the truth.
“I would rather have known, I believe knowledge gave me some kind of closure.”
She described the mixed emotions she felt after discovering her late husband’s infidelity.
Help for mental health
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123, jo@samartiands.org.uk
- CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
“It feels like it has all been obliterated,” she explained.
“I was in utter shock, it’s bizarre to be angry with someone who is no longer alive.”
However, Marianne decided to focus on raising Soren instead of dwelling on the past.
“I’ve got a choice – I can sit in my house and rot or I can show my son what an amazing life there is to be had,” she said.
She said: “I was focusing on doing the best for my son. I was doing everything in my power to do that.”
She went to a festival with Soren at the end of January to see one of her favourite bands.
Marianne said: “It was the first time I felt this sense of calm.
“It was in that moment I knew I had to go back to music and use it as my therapy.”
Marianne and Liam met through musicians in the local area and the pair had been married for four years.
“We were trying for a family, it was a lovely time telling our families, it was so exciting,” she explained.
“Everyone was surprised but delighted.”
Soren was born five weeks early weighing six pounds and came home on Christmas Day in 2022.
“It was a blur with everyone being there,” Marianne recalled.
“Everyone was in love with the new addition.”
Marianne spent the year after Liam’s death working on her own music – and focused on making it happy instead of sad.
She has taken Soren to 12 shows and festivals with her and says he “loves it.”
When her album Open Hearts and Magic comes out later this year she will embark on a trip with her tot.
“It’s a one way ticket to South East Asia,” Marianne explained.
“I wanted to give Soren this incredible life, I’m raising him on my own. What is the difference in doing it somewhere else?
“He’s happy, healthy and thriving, I’m lucky to have him.”
Marianne’s new single ‘Yes, let’s talk’ is out now and the full album is out in Autumn.