A family vacation should be filled with wonderful moments that become core memories for children and their parents. We often reflect on the fun trips we took as kids, seeing and experiencing new things. Jade Oakes and Lee Mann took their daughters on a trip of a lifetime to Egypt in December 2025. They booked their vacation through a travel agent and flew from their home in the United Kingdom to Africa. They checked into the Jaz Makadi Aquaviva hotel, excited to make beautiful memories.
But things quickly changed during their stay. The couple’s 1-year-old, Ariella, reportedly contracted E. coli, which eventually took her life. Her family and their attorney now want answers.
The family planned a swanky two-week all-inclusive trip.
According to a release from the family’s attorney, Irwin Mitchell, Oakes and Mann purchased an all-inclusive vacation package through TUI UK Limited totaling more than £6,000, or just over $8,000. The parents planned to stay two weeks with Ariella and her older sister, Summer. They arrived at the hotel in Hurghada on December 21 and enjoyed the first week of their vacation. Things apparently took a dramatic turn during the second week, when Ariella became ill.
The tiny toddler experienced severe symptoms.
She became extremely ill with vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and dehydration. The illness prompted Oakes and Mann to travel back to the UK for medical treatment.
“We went to Egypt expecting to make happy memories with our little girl, but instead it became the worst time of our lives,” Oakes shared through her attorney.
When they arrived home on January 5, Ariella’s health continued to worsen. They ultimately called emergency responders on January 7. EMS took her to the hospital, where doctors admitted her to the intensive care unit and put her into a medically induced coma.
Ariella’s diagnosis shocked her family.
Irwin Mitchell claims doctors diagnosed Ariella with hemolytic uraemic syndrome, a rare and life-threatening kidney condition linked to E. coli. Sadly, Ariella’s condition didn’t improve and she died on January 10. Her mother said there is no pain like that of watching your child suffer and being completely helpless.
“After Ariella’s death, returning from hospital to her unopened Christmas presents was unbearable. Lee hasn’t felt able to return to work since Ariella left us and we do our best to support each other, but most days it is a struggle to even get out of bed,” Oakes admitted.
Ariella isn’t the first child to become ill from E. coli after visiting Jaz Makadi Aquaviva.
Though the hotel boasts a five-star rating, multiple children have reportedly contracted E. coli while at the resort. According to Irwin Mitchell, 6-year-old Arthur Broughton developed similar symptoms to Ariella following a stay there in August 2025. Chloe Crook was just 2 years old when her family visited the hotel in 2024, and she reportedly contracted E. coli.
Irwin Mitchell alleges all three families booked their vacations through TUI UK Limited and spent thousands of dollars on all-inclusive packages.
Ariella’s family wants answers.
Arthur’s and Chloe’s families got lucky, and their children survived. Oakes and Mann, unfortunately, will never see Ariella again. They hope that by working with a law firm they can bring change to prevent any family from experiencing this pain.
“While nothing can undo the ordeal these families have suffered, our focus is now on helping to provide them with the answers they deserve and either the specialist support they require to come to terms with their loss or the specialist rehabilitation two of these children now need,” lawyer Jatinder Paul shared in the news release.
Oakes’ pain will never subside, but in speaking out, her daughter may finally get the justice she deserves.
“Ariella was a special, inquisitive and loving little girl, and the best daughter and little sister anyone could have wished for. We will miss her with all our hearts,” she said, per the news release. “This has been a horrific time for our whole family, and we know we will never be the same again. We deserve answers about what happened to our daughter.”
One would think spending that kind of money on an all-inclusive vacation at a five-star hotel would mean luxury and safety, at a minimum. Multiple guests allegedly exposed to a deadly bacterium warrants some serious investigation, and someone needs to take responsibility.
