EXCLUSIVEMystery of tower block mum-of-five who fell to her death: A criminal boyfriend, a dangerous window, a miracle baby - and why those closest to her believe her death is not as it appears...
A heavily pregnant mother-to-be who plunged 90ft to her death from a tower block may have been the victim of a tragic freak accident, MailOnline can reveal.
A heavily pregnant mother-to-be who plunged 90ft to her death from a tower block may have been the victim of a tragic freak accident, MailOnline can reveal.
Emma Atkinson, 38, died in the fall from the tenth floor window, but astonishingly her baby daughter was delivered safely in hospital and is winning her fight for life.
Mystery surrounds the circumstances of the mother-of-fives tragic death, but Emmas family say that she was visiting her father at his flat when she leaned out of the window to have a cigarette.
They say investigators are now looking into the theory that she opened the lounge window fully and leaned too far before toppling out of the window with her horrified father powerless to stop the tragedy unfolding.
There had been online speculation that Emma may have been depressed and taken her own life with police saying there were no suspicious circumstances around her death.
Emma Atkinson, 38, died in the fall from the tenth floor window of a tower block. She was visiting her fathers flat in Leeds, Yorks. Her family believe her death was a tragic accident
Emma was pregnant with her fifth child when she died. Miraculously her baby girl was born in hospital - five weeks premature. Emmas eldest daughter Demi is pictured here with the baby
Emmas miracle baby (pictured) weighed 4lb when she was born. The family has called her Posie. She is now feeding well and has amazed doctors with her progress, the family say
Emmas family say that despite speculation that she took her own life, she was happy when she died, having found love with Michael Swan, 33, who was the father of her fifth child, Posie
Emmas father says that he believes she opened the window to the lounge in his tenth floor flat to have a cigarette and somehow toppled over the ledge and fell 90ft. A neighbour on the 10th floor in Shakespeare Towers, in Burmantofts, Leeds, showed MailOnline an identical window
Police said that there were no suspicious circumstances around Emmas fall, but her family believe that she was the victim of a tragic accident and that she leaned too far over the ledge
But friends say they are baffled as to why she would when she was thrilled at the prospect of becoming a mum again to her little girl, who has been named Posie.
She had also learned two days earlier that she was about to become a grandmother for the first time with the news that her daughter Demi, 17, was pregnant.
The family also say that Emma had finally found happiness with her boyfriend Michael Swanson, 33, a convicted burglar who has served a seven year prison sentence – who has vowed to put his past behind him and step up to be a father for his little girl.
He is now coming to terms with being a new father while grieving the loss of his long-term partner.
A family friend said: Emma had a tough life. She had four kids aged between 19 and a toddler and was about to become a mum again at 38. Michael has a past but has stayed out of trouble recently and they were excited about having their daughter together.
She wasnt depressed. She had no reason to take her own life. She was excited about her future.
Emmas aunt and uncle, Ken and Rita Hanlan, spoke exclusively to MailOnline about how her family believe she died.
Emma (above) was looking forward to the birth of her fifth baby. Only last month she posted a picture on her Facebook page of her posing in front of a mirror proudly showing off her bump
The family say Emma was happy with boyfriend Michael Swanson (above) a convicted burglar who has served a seven year prison sentence. Michael was looking forward to becoming a dad
Mr Hanlan, from Leeds, said: The flat she was in when she fell was her fathers and we have been told it was an accident.
Her father said she opened the window to have a smoke and fell out. He insists it was an accident.
A resident of the tower block said rumours of an accidental fall had spread among residents.
She said: Its quite possible that you could fall out by accident, especially if you were sitting on the window sill to have a cigarette.
The windows have a safety mechanism but there is a catch you can flick to override that and the window will then open much wider – wide enough for a person to fall through.
The largest section of the window comes to about waist height when youre standing up, so if you were to lean out and lose your balance you could fall out.
People in the flats have been talking today about it being an accident. Its so cruel if it is.
It isnt the first time someone has fallen to their death from Shakespeare Tower, the window latches need to be looked at by the landlord.
Its such a terrible tragedy for a young woman with a baby so close to being born, its unbearable and all the residents are thinking about her father and her little girl now.
Emmas aunt Rita Hanlan, 75, has revealed that baby Posie has amazed doctors with her resilience and is winning her fight for life.
She said: Little Posie is feeding now, she is taking milk, which has been a great relief.
She had an internal bleed but that is clearing now. She has a fracture to her leg and they are going to splint that sometime next week.
She is the one good thing that has come out of this tragedy. She is such a little fighter, she was only 4lbs when she was delivered but shes doing well, which is amazing.
A tower block resident told MailOnline the window Emma fell from has a safety mechanism - but there is a catch you can flick to override that and the window will then open much wider
In 2016 Emmas partner Michael was jailed for a campaign of burglary in which he raided 18 homes in six weeks - but in recent years he had got his life together and the couple were happy
Emmas, June Hirst, 63, who lives in Spain, had flown back to Leeds for the funeral of her elder sister when Emma (above) lost her life. Emmas stepfather said the family are devastated
Emmas death was the second tragedy to befall the family in the space of a week.
Her mother, June Hirst, 63, who lives in Spain, had flown back to Leeds for the funeral of her elder sister when Emma lost her life.
Junes husband Steve Hirst, Emmas stepfather, said: She is in bits, she cannot speak to anyone and just breaks down in tears. She lost her sister last week, which is why we returned to the UK and now this has happened.
Meanwhile, Posies father has vowed to turn over a new leaf according to his family.
In 2016 Michael Swanson was jailed for seven years and seven months for a campaign of burglary in which he and an accomplice raided 18 homes in Leeds and Pontefract over a six week period in July and August 2015.
Cars were stolen and were then fitted with false number plates in order to commit further crimes.
The total value of property stolen in the burglaries was £297,015 and at the time Swanson was on police bail for taking cannabis and a class C drug in to an inmate at HMP Wealstun.
Both men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and were jailed. Swanson was later hunted by police in 2020 when he broke the terms if his release licence and was eventually apprehended by police in the Leeds area.
However his sister, Lauren Mitchell, has said hes ready to step up.
In an emotional social media post, Lauren said: Our beautiful baby girl, Posie, we are all praying for you.
Your mum would be so proud of you and I know your daddy is and he loves u endlessly.
Our little miracle baby, Daddy promises hes going to step up and protect you all.
Emma will live on through you beautiful girl.
Mr Swansons family declined to comment at their home in Rothley, Leeds, on Friday.
Emma was excitedly looking forward to the birth of her fifth baby.
Only last month she posted a picture on her Facebook page of her posing in front of a mirror proudly showing off her bump.
The expectant mother confirmed she was due in ten weeks, writing: Its a girl I couldnt be happier.
Emmas eldest daughter Demi herself expecting a baby with her boyfriend, posted a picture of Posie in hospital.
On the post she wrote: Our perfect beautiful Posie fighting for her mummy, the last bit of our mama to treasure forever, shes going to do this for you mum.
The family are now anxiously waiting to see how Emmas two youngest children, both boys, react to whats happened.
Mr Hanlan said: Theyre both so young, we hope they can stay together despite losing their mum.
Emma with her boyfriend Michael. Emma had learned two days earlier that she was about to become a grandmother for the first time with her daughter Demi, 17, expecting a baby
The family say they are now anxiously waiting to see how Emmas two youngest children, both boys, with one aged four and his younger brother to see how they react to whats happened
Close friend Dylan Connolly described her as the crazy friend we all needed and said: You was far too good for this life
There has been an outpouring of grief in the Burmantofts area, where Emma died.
Local resident Mandy Shires, 45, said: I saw all the commotion after that poor lady fell. The window she fell from was wide open all day.
She had no chance falling from that height, but it can only be a miracle that her baby is alive. We are all preying the little girl makes It through.
Heartfelt tributes from heartbroken friends and family have flooded social media in memory of the beautiful mother.
Close friend Dylan Connolly described her as the crazy friend we all needed and said: You was far too good for this life.
