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Police officer heartbroken as wife dies at Christmas

Joshua Wooldridge Joshua Wooldridge with his wife. They are in London and the Thames is in the background as well as an iconic bridge. There are some skyscrapers in the background. Joshua Wooldridge
Joshua Wooldridge wants people to know what his wife did to help others - and how difficult it is to lose a loved one at Christmas

It was going to be a good 2025 for Bethany Wooldridge, her family say.

The 27-year-old had just moved into a new home in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, with her husband Joshua and their three children, aged four, seven and 10.

A former police officer, she was due to start a new role with West Midlands Ambulance Service in January.

But just days before Christmas she died suddenly, leaving relatives bereft and unsure what the future holds.

Mr Wooldridge, a serving West Midlands Police officer, said his wife had collapsed at their new home on 17 December.

The cause of her death is currently unknown and an inquest will be held following the results of a post-mortem examination.

The 32-year-old spoke to the BBC because he wanted people to remember the work his wife did to help others - and how difficult it was to lose a loved one over the festive period.

Joshua Wooldridge Bethany Wooldridge standing in a lake, with water up to her waist and her arms outstretched. She is wearing a black sleeveless dress and has tattoos on both arms. Joshua Wooldridge
Bethany Wooldridge died suddenly at home on 17 December

"Everything she did, she did for everyone else," Mr Wooldridge said.

"The two jobs she most recently had were helping other people [with the] ambulance and police.

"She would always try to do something for somebody else. She was just selfless."

Mr Wooldridge had met his wife through friends and the pair had been married for 10 years.

His young family is currently staying with relatives in Dudley as his children "can't bear to go home".

The widower spoke of his devastation at his wife's sudden passing and having to navigate a "new normal".

He told how he "froze" upon hearing the unexpected news and was later violently sick.

"I lay on my mom's bathroom floor for about an hour," he said.

Joshua Wooldridge Bethany Wooldridge in a selfie. She has long brown hair and is smiling. She is sitting on a sofa and there is a radiator behind her. Joshua Wooldridge
Mr Wooldridge said he "froze" when he was told his wife had died

Mr Wooldridge added that "family was everything" to his wife, describing her as "loyal and protective".

He joked that she had "dealt with all the paperwork", saying she was "like my receptionist".

"She was really good with that sort of stuff," he explained. "She just wouldn't take no for an answer.

"If it was in her children's or her family's best interest, she would push for things."

Joshua Wooldridge Bethany Wooldridge in the outdoors. She is stood next to a waterfall and has one hand outstretched. She is wearing a long black dress and a cream cardigan, and has long brown hair. Joshua Wooldridge
"Family was everything" to Ms Wooldridge, her husband said

A GoFundMe page has been launched by relatives to raise money for Ms Wooldridge's funeral.

Mr Wooldridge said she had once told loved ones she wanted a burial, white coffin and horses when she died.

He has since found out she was not covered under his police life insurance policy, with family funds also depleted due to moving house during the Christmas period.

More than £3,000 had been raised by 27 December, for which Mr Wooldridge said he was incredibly grateful.

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