Teen Girl, 13, Dies After Collapsing at Movie Theater in Abu Dhabi — Her Grieving Father Recalls Screaming and Holding Her Hand as Paramedics Fought to Save Her
A family is in deep mourning after the sudden and tragic death of a 13-year-old girl who collapsed at a movie theater while watching a film with friends. Kasey-Lei Greene, who was living with her family in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was described as bright, funny, and full of life — a girl whose energy could light up any room. But on September 4, what began as a fun evening quickly turned into a nightmare no parent should ever have to face.
According to Birmingham Live, Kasey-Lei suddenly collapsed inside the theater and went into cardiac arrest. Her father, Kevin Greene, who was nearby, rushed to the scene in panic as emergency medical teams desperately worked to save his daughter’s life. In heartbreaking detail, he later described how helpless he felt in those final moments. “I was screaming and holding her hand,” he said, recalling the chaos and disbelief that filled the room as paramedics performed CPR. Despite their best efforts, Kasey-Lei could not be revived.
Kevin said his daughter had been perfectly healthy, making her sudden collapse even more devastating and confusing. The family is now awaiting the results of a medical investigation to understand what could have caused the cardiac arrest. “She was happy, she was smiling, she was just Kasey,” her father said softly. “And then she was gone.”
The days following her death have been filled with grief and disbelief. Friends, classmates, and teachers have described Kasey-Lei as a bright light in their lives — kind-hearted, always ready to help others, and known for her infectious laughter. Her school held a special assembly to honor her memory, where students shared stories and tributes that reflected just how loved she was by everyone around her.
Kevin and his wife, Claire, have since received an outpouring of support from people both in Abu Dhabi and back home in the U.K. Messages of condolence have flooded social media, with friends calling her “an angel gone too soon” and “the girl who made everyone smile.” The family says they’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness shown during such an unthinkable loss.
In the days after Kasey-Lei’s passing, her father shared a message that captured the pain and love of a parent who has lost everything. “I would give anything to hear her laugh again, to see her walk through the door,” he said. “No parent should have to say goodbye to their child.”
While the official cause of death remains under investigation, the tragedy has renewed conversations among families about the importance of regular health checks, even for young, healthy children. Cardiac conditions can sometimes go unnoticed, and Kevin hopes that sharing Kasey-Lei’s story might help save another child’s life someday.
For the Greene family, every day now feels different — quieter, emptier, yet still filled with the echoes of their daughter’s joy. “She was my little girl,” Kevin said through tears. “And she always will be.”
