Heartfelt Tribute to Hailey Okula: A Legacy of Love and Motherhood
Hailey Okula, a prominent Nursing influencer and dedicated ER nurse, who was affectionately known as “Nurse Hailey” on social media platforms, has tragically passed away due to complications during childbirth. This heart-wrenching event follows her long and arduous journey through infertility, which deeply impacted her life and aspirations of becoming a mother.
Her husband, Matthew Okula, an esteemed firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department, shared the devastating news on Instagram Tuesday, revealing that his beloved wife died shortly after they welcomed their first child, a precious baby boy named Crew. The emotional weight of this loss is felt deeply across their community.
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“With a heavy heart, I share the devastating news of the unexpected passing of my beautiful wife, Hailey Marie Okula, due to complications during childbirth,” Matthew expressed. “Words cannot capture the profound loss I feel. Hailey was more than I ever dreamed of in a wife and partner; she embodied beauty, intelligence, hard work, passion, trustworthiness, and above all, unwavering loyalty. For nearly 13 years, she stood by my side through the most challenging times, loving me endlessly, even when I felt unworthy of that love. She truly was my everything.”
“Hailey’s strength was unparalleled. Words cannot convey how desperately we wanted to become parents. After years of battling infertility and navigating a challenging IVF process, we were overjoyed to be expecting Crew,” he continued. “Hailey confronted every obstacle with immense courage and love. Despite the toll on her body, she never faltered. I will always remember the moment I broke down, apologizing for the stress this process would take on her. She held my face, looked into my eyes, and said, ‘We’re a team, and we’ll get through this together.’ That was Hailey: a fighter, a teammate, and a woman who would do anything for those she loved.”
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“Even though her time with us was tragically cut short, Hailey’s love for Crew was boundless, long before he entered this world. She would have made the most wonderful mother. Her spirit, courage, and love will continue to live on in our son and in all the lives she touched,” Matthew reflected. “Hailey dedicated herself to her nursing career and passionately educated others through her business, RN New Grads. She was immensely proud of this venture and was committed to creating something meaningful, not just for herself but for the nursing community she cherished so deeply. She envisioned helping new nurses excel while also being present for our sweet Crew, building a legacy she was immensely proud of.”
As Matthew elaborated, Hailey founded RN New Grads, designed to assist newly graduated nurses in launching their careers. This initiative evolved into a comprehensive platform for all things nursing, as highlighted on her website. “We now provide educational resources, interview assistance, and even offer cute nursing attire and accessories to showcase your pride as a nurse,” the website states.
In addition to sharing valuable content related to her program, Hailey — boasting over 425,000 followers on Instagram and more than 200,000 on TikTok under the username “@rnnewgrads” — documented her extensive struggles with fertility, the IVF process, and her pregnancy journey after she announced her pregnancy in September 2024.
Matthew’s post on Tuesday included an emotional video montage showcasing pictures and clips from their journey together, featuring their path to parenthood, moments from the hospital, and a cherished photo of baby Crew.
He continued his heartfelt message in the comments section, sharing insights about the future of his late wife’s business.

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“Regarding Hailey’s business, RN New Grads, for now, we ask that no physical products be sold, as I am still learning about the logistics of that part of the business,” Matthew shared. “Digital products can continue to be sold as usual. If there are any disputes or questions, I kindly ask for your patience while I grieve and recover — I promise to work through everything in due time. Hailey was passionate about her content, refusing to hire anyone to manage her business. She was meticulous, ensuring she loved what was posted and every resource she created. There’s a wealth of unposted material and numerous products she was excited to share. I am committed to figuring out how to carry on this business in her honor.”
“Hailey always cherished the community she built, and achieving success as a self-made entrepreneur was a significant dream for her,” he continued. “Please continue to follow and share her content to help keep her passion for educating nurses and healthcare workers alive. You all made an incredible impact on her life, and for that, I will always be grateful.”
Matthew acknowledged his wife’s contributions, stating that her “legacy transcends her professional achievements and aspirations.”
“Her kindness and unwavering dedication to helping others left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. While we are keeping certain details private for now, we are thankful for those who have reached out with love and support during this unimaginably difficult time,” he wrote. “I never imagined myself asking for anything, and Hailey wouldn’t have either, but for the sake of Crew, if you have a way to contribute anything to my Zelle account, it would mean time away from work for me while Crew and I work to rebuild the life Hailey and I had envisioned together.”
“Please continue to keep our family, and especially little Crew, in your prayers as we learn to carry on without her. Her love and light will forever shine in all of our hearts,” he concluded. “Rest in peace, my love. You were everything and more. Always and forever. 💔.”
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Meanwhile, the LAFD shared a heartfelt tribute on its official Instagram account, honoring Hailey’s memory.
“On March 29, 2025, during the delivery of their child, Mrs. Hailey Okula, wife of LAFD Engineer Matthew Okula, tragically passed away,” the LAFD captioned a photo of Hailey and Matthew. “The Los Angeles City Fire Department mourns the loss of Mrs. Okula and is grateful for the efforts of numerous fire service members, including groups like @housewivesoflafd who are working to support Engineer Okula and his newborn, Crew, during this unimaginably challenging time.”
Matthew also opened up about the heartbreaking tragedy while speaking with FOX 11.
According to the outlet, just “two minutes” after Crew was born, she expressed, “I do not feel good,” and went into cardiac arrest.
While cradling his newborn son and their dog, Matthew — wearing an RN New Grads t-shirt and a “Dad” hat — told FOX 11, “She wanted to be a mother so incredibly badly.”
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Matthew — visibly emotional — recounted the horror he experienced in the hospital in the moments following Crew’s birth. He stated that the doctors informed him his wife suffered a “very rare complication” known as amniotic fluid embolism. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare and life-threatening condition that occurs when amniotic fluid enters the bloodstream of a pregnant woman just before, during, or immediately after childbirth.”
“She gave her life in the most noble way. She managed to see him for a split second, and I will always remember that,” Matthew said, choked with emotion.
According to FOX 11, Hailey was only 33 years old. The clip was shared on the LAFD Instagram.
A GoFundMe established for Matthew and the family has almost reached its goal of $250,000, having received over $238,000 in donations as of this posting.










