Cleaner Finds 25-Year-old Mother Dead, Toddler Alive Nearby in Rental

WHO:

Yahoo - Ferne King was a 25-year-old mother from Fife, Scotland.

Yahoo News UK - Ferne King was a 25-year-old mother from Fife, Scotland.

Yahoo - King’s 2-year-old daughter was found alive and unharmed beside her.

Yahoo News UK - King’s 2-year-old daughter was found alive and unharmed beside her.

Yahoo - A cleaner scheduled to clean the rental found King and contacted emergency services; the child was transferred to local social services.

Yahoo News UK - A cleaner scheduled to clean the rental found King and contacted emergency services; the child was transferred to local social services.

Yahoo - Local authorities were awaiting toxicology results; police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Yahoo News UK - Local authorities were awaiting toxicology results; police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Yahoo - A funeral-home announcement described King as a “beloved and cherished” mom, daughter and sister, and “a very good friend to many more.”

Yahoo News UK - A funeral-home announcement described King as a “beloved and cherished” mom, daughter and sister, and “a very good friend to many more.”

WHAT:

Yahoo - King was found dead in bed in a vacation-rental apartment; her daughter was in the same bed, unharmed.

Yahoo News UK - King was found dead in bed in a vacation-rental apartment; her daughter was in the same bed, unharmed.

Yahoo - Authorities believe King may have died of cardiac arrest, but her cause of death had not been officially confirmed; no foul play was suspected.

Yahoo News UK - Authorities believe King may have died of cardiac arrest, but her cause of death had not been officially confirmed; no foul play was suspected.

Yahoo - A funeral service for King was announced for Fife.

Yahoo News UK - A funeral service for King was announced for Fife.

WHERE:

Yahoo - King was found in an apartment in Durrës, Albania, a seaside tourist city on the Adriatic Sea.

Yahoo News UK - King was found in an apartment in Durrës, Albania, a seaside tourist city on the Adriatic Sea.

Yahoo - The apartment was on one of Durrës’s main streets, near restaurants, hotels and the city’s archaeological museum.

Yahoo News UK - The apartment was on one of Durrës’s main streets, near restaurants, hotels and the city’s archaeological museum.

WHEN:

Yahoo - King had arrived in Durrës several days before her death for a three-day stay.

Yahoo News UK - King had arrived in Durrës several days before her death for a three-day stay.

WHY:

Yahoo - Authorities were awaiting official toxicology reports from a local laboratory to confirm the cause of death.

Yahoo News UK - Authorities were awaiting official toxicology reports from a local laboratory to confirm the cause of death.

HOW:

Yahoo - The cleaner discovered King while scheduled to clean the apartment and immediately notified emergency services; local social services took responsibility for the child.

Yahoo News UK - The cleaner discovered King while scheduled to clean the apartment and immediately notified emergency services; local social services took responsibility for the child.

(UPDATED October 26, 2026 19:25 UTC)

Ferne King, a 25-year-old mother from Fife, Scotland, was found dead in bed in a vacation rental in Durrës, Albania, with her 2-year-old daughter beside her, alive and unharmed. A cleaner discovered them while scheduled to clean the apartment and called emergency services, and local social services took responsibility for the child. Authorities suspect cardiac arrest but have not confirmed the cause of death and are awaiting toxicology results; police suspected no foul play.