Nursing Influencer's Husband Spreads Her Ashes on First Valentine's Day Since Her Death

Matt Okula spent the day at the beach with their 10-month-old son Crew to remember his late wife Hailey Okula, who died after childbirth complications

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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On Valentine's Day 2026, Matt Okula visited the beach with his 10-month-old son Crew to remember his late wife Hailey Okula, a nursing influencer who died in March 2025 after delivering Crew via cesarean section. Matt shared that he brought some of Hailey's ashes to spread in the water, as it was her favorite beach. He also said he planned to put together a video of their past Valentine's Days together, but ultimately decided to just spend quality time with Crew and share memories of Hailey instead.

Why it matters

Hailey's tragic death at age 33 from a rare childbirth complication called amniotic fluid embolism highlights the dangers that some women face during pregnancy and childbirth. Her story also showcases the immense grief and challenges that her husband Matt and their young son Crew are navigating in the aftermath of her passing.

The details

Hailey Okula was a nursing influencer who documented her pregnancy on social media. She died after going into cardiac arrest following an amniotic fluid embolism, a rare and often fatal pregnancy complication, after delivering her son Crew via cesarean section in March 2025. On the first Valentine's Day since Hailey's death, her husband Matt took their 10-month-old son Crew to Hailey's favorite beach, where he spread some of her ashes in the water. Matt had originally planned to put together a video of their past Valentine's Days together, but ultimately decided to just spend quality time with Crew and share memories of Hailey instead.

  • Hailey Okula died in March 2025 after delivering her son Crew.
  • Matt Okula visited the beach with Crew on Valentine's Day 2026, the first since Hailey's passing.

The players

Hailey Okula

A nursing influencer who died at age 33 after delivering her first child, son Crew, in March 2025.

Matt Okula

Hailey's husband, who is raising their 10-month-old son Crew after Hailey's tragic death.

Crew Okula

The 10-month-old son of Hailey and Matt Okula, who lost his mother shortly after his birth.

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What they’re saying

“It takes a lot of time to make these little videos, for me at least, and I didn't want to spend the whole day doing that. I wanted to spend it with Crew and create new memories.”

— Matt Okula, Hailey's husband (People)

“You better believe that we'll be putting some of these ashes in this freezing cold water just to piss her off a little bit.”

— Matt Okula, Hailey's husband (People)

What’s next

Matt Okula plans to continue sharing Hailey's story and legacy on her @RNNewGrads social media account to honor her memory and raise awareness about the dangers of childbirth complications.

The takeaway

Hailey Okula's tragic death from a rare but often fatal pregnancy complication underscores the critical need for continued research, education, and support around maternal health issues to prevent similar tragedies and ensure the safety of mothers and their babies.