An eight-year-old boy who died three days after testing positive for Covid was likely to have had an undiagnosed heart defect, an inquest has heard.
Jasper Bryan Cook, from Birkenshaw, was a "normal, healthy child" before his sudden death in January, Bradford Coroners Court heard.
The "fun-loving" pupil had been seen by an out-of-hours GP the day before his death after being sick and suffering abdominal pain.
On January 21, he became very unwell at his home in Birkenshaw, near Bradford, and paramedics were called - but Jasper was found to be in cardiac arrest.
The ambulance crew performed CPR and rushed him to Bradford Royal Infirmary where he was pronounced dead despite the best efforts of emergency medics.
An inquest held into his death heard no medical cause of death has been identified.
But the hearing was told it was likely Jasper had an arrhythmia - an abnormal heart rhythm.
The court heard this cannot be diagnosed in death and his family is now undergoing genetic testing in the hope they will get some answers.
If tests do reveal anything significant, samples kept from Jasper can then be tested, his family said.
The inquest heard Jasper had Covid at the time of his death, but he did not have inflammation of the brain, heart and lungs - symptoms now associated with the virus.
The GP who saw Jasper in the out-of-hours appointment on the night before his death said there were “no signs of anything major or untoward”.
He told the inquest he had been shocked when he heard of Jasper’s death as there was nothing to suggest it would happen.
Recording his conclusion that Jasper died of natural causes, assistant coroner Ian Pears said the youngster woke in the early hours on the day of his death with shortness of breath.
An ambulance was called, but Jasper died at the hospital.
The coroner said no medical cause of death had been identified, but all unnatural causes have been excluded.
His heartbroken mum Kim bravely described her little boy as “energetic, enthusiastic, generous and infinitely kind” during the inquest.
She said he was deeply loved by all who knew him, adding: “This year was full of hopes and dreams for a brighter future as the last few years have been quite hard for us all.
“It is hard to explain when you are 39 and 40 the feeling that the best times of your life may be behind you because from every moment going forward, everything is tinged with a sadness that we can never explain.”
Footy-mad Jasper, a Watford FC fan, was close with his sister, Lily, the inquest heard.
Kim told the coroner's court they would choose the Christmas tree together and take it in turns to put the star on the top and this year would have been Jasper’s turn.
Speaking after the inquest, Kim said: "As a family, we have been left devastated by the loss of our beloved son.
“One of the hardest things to accept is that we’ve got no answers for why this tragedy has occurred.
“It came out of the blue, with no warning, and has taken the legs out from under us.
“Our world will never be the same again. Jasper was a wonderful, kind, caring boy, who was full of fun and we will remember his cheeky smile and his sense of humour.
“He was a shining light and now that he is gone, the world seems a bit less bright.
“Our daughter Lily misses her big brother terribly as they were so close and had so much fun together.
“The shadow that crosses her face when she looks for him is like a knife in our hearts.
“We will love him to the end of everything and our memories of him will on forever and we will do our utmost to find some answers for the loss of our darling boy.”
Jasper’s parents spoke of their gratitude towards the “fantastic” emergency services and NHS, while Ian spoke of his thanks to Andy’s Man Club.
He has been attending the group, which encourages men to open up about their mental health, since March.
He said: “The guys there are brilliant. Without their support, things would have been a lot harder for me.”
