Mother-of-two, 47, dies suddenly just days after returning from family holiday in Tunisia - as heartbroken husband battles to find out why
Amanda Cugini, from Ely in Cardiff, has been described as 'one in a million', as loved ones described their shock at her unexpected and unexplained loss.
GoFundMe appeals have been set up to help support her family, who say they have no idea what might have been behind the death of Ms Cugini, known as Mandy.
Her husband David Cugini, a trained first aider, tried frantically to resuscitate her after she fell unwell at their home, but she died on July 22 this year.
He has now opened up to the Daily Mail about his efforts to save her, as well as uncertainty about what caused her death.
Mr Cugini, 52, hailed her as an 'amazing' mother to two daughters Megan, 17, and 10-year-old Maddison as well as 34-year-old stepdaughter Jacey, while also having two grandchildren.
She had been working at a childcare nursery and was preparing to qualify as a daycare nurse.
The couple had been together for 18 years, having been friends for 10 years previously, and married just before Christmas in 2021.
Mr Cugini has labelled her sudden death shortly after their return from a family break in Tunisia as 'so confusing, upsetting and everything, all rolled into one'.
They had been watching her favourite programme Love Island on TV in bed together before drifting off to sleep, before he woke to find her struggling after falling unwell.
Mr Cugini attempted CPR for about half an hour while paramedics were called and also did their best to save her but there was no pulse nor heartbeat and she was declared dead.
He has told of lying awake in the early hours at nights since feeling guilty, wondering what he could have done differently, despite being praised for his efforts by ambulance staff.
He said: 'For a lady who had a heart of gold, she was also as strong as an ox.
'I only wish she'd been a bit stronger medically after all. People can be so loving, caring, so beaming and so strong – but something's gone down.
'It's a nightmare, trying to find out. It could be months, the coroner's told me – it's frustrating.
'I'm still on the same day, like it just happened a couple of hours ago. Every day now is the same day to me.'
The family had recently returned from a holiday in the Tunisian resort Venus Beach and had been recommending the place to friends and colleagues.
Mr Cugini said: 'That Tunisia holiday we had – she came back bouncing from it. My mum died four years ago and left me a little bit of money and had told me to use it for something nice, "enjoy it".
'I started booking these holidays for us – earlier this year the family, 10 of us, went to EuroDisney.
'We've had difficult years, with parents dying and Covid and the cost of living. Mandy would ask, why are we going there, and would want cheaper versions because she didn't like waste. But I'd tell her, I'm treating you like you should be treated.
'That Tunisia holiday was on another level. Sometimes you can feel down at the end of a holiday because you're leaving Paradise but we were coming away bouncing because we couldn't wait to get back and tell everybody.
'Mandy was on top of the world. She was seeing a doctor for early menopause but was managing just find – a little bit of stress, anxiety, but no other obvious signs of ill health.
'But then something went wrong – I'd love to know what. We've been going round asking questions of professionals but even they don't know. It's awful, confusing.
'The paramedics did all they could. I did all I could. Unfortunately she was gone.
'I wouldn't be so cruel as to put anyone else through what that moment was like - that loss, that moment, that short moment, is unbearable.
'And I've felt guilty – what have I done wrong, what could I have done differently? At two, three, four o'clock in the morning, your mind wanders that way.
'But one of the last things I said to her was, I'll shout your name in praise.'
Online fundraising appeals have received hundreds of pounds in donations towards funeral costs, with one organised by Mrs Cugini's aunt Julie saying: 'Nobody was prepared for a day like this and we are all heartbroken.
'She was loved by the family and our community you will all have bumped into her or met her at some point and remember her infectious laughter and beeaming smile that lit up the room.'
Another GoFundMe appeal has been launched by a friend Mellisa Southam-Hayes, who shared her own tributes while telling how unexpected the death had been.
She wrote: 'I've known Mandy for 16 years and a day hasn't gone by where she's not been there for her friends, supported them through hard times and always that person you could count on for a hug.
'We sadly lost Mandy unexpectedly on the 21st July 2025. She passed away suddenly at home with her family around her.
'Nobody was prepared or could have prepared for this huge gut wrenching loss.
'David, Megan, Maddison and Jacey are managing to power through the pain to remember the amazing times they had with their mother and wife. Sharing stories, laughing and crying in between.
'Amanda lit up every room she entered, her smile was breathtaking and her laugh was infectious.
'She welcomed everyone with open arms and left a memorable stamp on their lives.
'I've set up this page to hopefully raise some money towards her funeral. I hope nothing more than for Mandy to have the most fabulous send off, she deserves the best.
'Please share far and wide, let's help the Cugini family remember her in the most memorable way possible.'
And Mr Cugini has spoken of his gratitude for wellwishers' support and messages, telling the Mail: 'It's been really difficult, but the outpouring of love from people has been amazing – I've been getting messages from halfway across the world.
'There's a lot of evil going on in the world, but I didn't realise there was that much empathy left.
'There are people I don't even know and never knew she knew – now I'm being approached by people in the street saying how special she was.
'I used to call her my Care Bear, beaming out like rainbows and sunshine.
'Mandy was everything to me, she was my world – and it's lovely to see how many others she affected.'
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