Former NFL hopeful, partner reveal death of newborn son in tragedy

Patrick Murtagh

Ex-NFL hopeful Patrick Murtagh and his partner, social media influencer Hannah Orval, announced the devastating loss of their first child.

Orval shared the heartbreaking news in an Instagram post, revealing that their son, Meelo Michael Murtagh, was born prematurely and stillborn.

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Meelo Michael Murtagh, born into this big world early and sleeping," Orval wrote on the platform. He will forever be the biggest missing piece of the rest of our story."

Patrick Murtagh of the Jacksonville Jaguars poses the flag of Australia during the third day of the NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza on April 27, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Getty Images

Orval described the brief time the couple spent with Meelo as irreplaceable" and said she would endure childbirth again every day in every lifetime" for the chance to meet him.

To be a family for even just for a day was irreplaceable," she wrote. We are absolutely devastated, but forever our biggest achievement in life."

The couple also shared a series of photos from the hospital as they mourned the loss of their son.

Former NFL player Patrick Murtagh and his partner,
influencer Hannah Orval, announced the loss of their first child together. instagram/hannahorval

Murtagh and Orval announced in May that they were expecting their first child together.

Murtagh, 26, spent parts of three years with NFL organizations after making a transition from Australian football to tight end in the States.

The Australian athlete was assigned to the Lions through the NFL's International Player Pathway program in 2023, but an undisclosed medical issue ended his initial stint with Detroit.

Influencer Hannah Orval and Patrick Murtagh announced the loss of
their child. instagram/hannahorval

He later joined the Jaguars through the program in April 2024 before suffering an ankle injury during training camp and being waived in May 2025.

Former NFL player Patrick Murtagh and his partner, influencer Hannah
Orval, announced the loss of their child. instagram/hannahorval

Murtagh most recently joined the Broncos' practice squad in August 2025 under an international player exemption.

He did not appear in an NFL regular-season game during his time with the three organizations.