There is never a good time to lose a parent, but when that loss is totally untimely and unexpected, it can be even more harrowing. Sadly, two UK teens are mourning the unexpected loss of their beloved dad after his passion for his pet spiders likely led to his demise.
Mark Anthony Kirby of Prescot in Merseyside, England, died on August 2, 2025, after being bitten by one of the five venomous spiders he bought online. The 38-year-old father started experiencing flu-like symptoms, according to what his ex-partner and mother of his two kids, Kayleigh Gill, told The Liverpool Echo. He was reportedly bitten by one of them before he traveled with Gill and other family to Scotland.
After the family returned on July 26, Gill said Kirby complained about his achy body and high temperature. Days later on August 2, he called her sister to say he was struggling breathing before he collapsed. Despite being worked on by paramedics, he ultimately succumbed to the venom and died.
According to People, an official cause of death hasn’t been released and the species of spider has not been confirmed, though the family suspects that because the week and a half long symptoms occurred post-bite, that is what ended up killing him.
According to Britannica, more than 51,500 species of spiders exist in the world but only a small number are considered dangerous. Fewer than 30 of them have been responsible for human deaths, because of the size difference between our species and theirs. If a human gets to the hospital shortly after a spider bite, that person can likely be assisted with little to no damage as hospitals often have anti-venom on hand to treat bites of all kinds.
Gill told the Manchester Evening News that her ex was a truly delightful human. “He was funny, caring, outgoing and such a people person. He was a brilliant dad to our two children and was always the life and soul of the party,” she claimed.
He evidently always had a fear of insects when they were together, but after purchasing the spiders he was reportedly “obsessed” with them.
“I think he bought them because he lived alone but he was always terrified of insects when we were together,” Gill continued, per the Echo. “Even though we had split up, we were best friends. He put our children first.”
