Former Denver Broncos player Patrick Murtagh and his wife, influencer Hannah Orval, have shared the heartbreaking news that they lost their baby son, Meelo Michael Murtagh. The couple announced the loss in an emotional Instagram post on July 31, just a few months after revealing they were expecting their first child. They had shared in May that they were excited to welcome a baby boy, calling him their “rainbow baby.” Along with black-and-white photos of their son’s tiny feet and quiet family moments, the couple opened up about their grief and the short but unforgettable time they had together.
Patrick Murtagh and Hannah Orval share emotional tribute to baby son Meelo
Patrick Murtagh and Hannah Orval announced their loss through a joint Instagram post, where they introduced their son with a deeply personal message.“Meelo Michael Murtagh, born into this big world early and sleeping 🤍👼. He will forever be the biggest missing piece of the rest of our story. To be a family for even just for a day was irreplaceable … We are absolutely devastated, but forever our biggest achievement in life🪽.”The couple had announced the pregnancy in May, writing, “We’ve dreamt of you, we can’t wait to meet our beautiful rainbow baby 🧸.”Hannah later shared more personal messages on her Instagram Stories, including a black-and-white photo of what appeared to be the nursery prepared for Meelo. In another post, she wrote directly to her son.“To my baby boy, Meelo, I dreamt for a lifetime of being your mumma … I’ll always be your mumma … Our day with you was both the most incredibly magical and utterly heartbreaking day, though forever grateful for it because I relive it every day. We were and always will be a family. I miss you more than I can even begin to comprehend.”The couple shared these updates through Instagram, while People first reported on their announcement.
Hannah Orval thanks Patrick Murtagh for supporting her through childbirth and grief
In another Instagram Stories post, Hannah reflected on becoming a mother and the strength she found in Patrick during one of the hardest days of their lives.“The pain that we as mothers would choose to go through over and over again in every lifetime. Nothing could ever prepare you for the feeling of your baby touching your skin for the first time. Now I understand.”She also praised her husband for standing beside her throughout childbirth and their loss.“Though we are strong as mothers to bare these children, I could not have understood more in that moment the real power of who we choose to have kids with. Grief filled the room, loudly. The pain physically and mentally, but one thing that never wavered for even a moment was the strength of Meelo’s dad.”Hannah continued, “From the moment we stepped into that room he wiped my tears, he held my hand, he walked me to the bathroom, he warmed up my blankets, changed my bedding, stayed up while I slept, fed me… the list goes on. Because I was giving birth and because I was grieving .. all the time he was too but me and Meelo were never once left without his tenderness.”She ended her tribute by writing, “I will be forever in debt to the man that carried us both through this world. Meelo would have been the greatest of men watching and learning from his dad.”Patrick Murtagh, who is from Queensland, Australia, previously played for the Gold Coast Suns before signing with the Denver Broncos in August 2025. He is currently an unsigned free agent.