Christmas Day: 16-year-old passes away after opening presents

A 16-year-old in Piedmont, Alabama, died on Christmas Day after finishing opening presents; her family says she collapsed during a FaceTime call with her father and a post-mortem examination is under way.

Scarlett Durden, 16, died on Christmas Day at her home in Piedmont, Alabama, shortly after she finished opening presents with her family. She was on a FaceTime call with her father, who was in hospital awaiting a heart transplant, when she collapsed and did not regain consciousness. Her family has reported a history of heart problems and said medical staff are examining her heart after death to determine a cause. The family has announced funeral arrangements as they cope with the loss. Known details: - She collapsed at home while on FaceTime with her father, who was in the hospital awaiting a heart transplant. - The family has reported a history of heart problems and said her heart is being examined post-mortem to determine the cause of death. - Scarlett was a sophomore at Piedmont High School and had previously been enrolled in JROTC. - The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home Dogwood Chapel and will be livestreamed. Summary: The family is grieving and has reported that medical examiners are studying her heart to determine the cause of death. Funeral services are scheduled for January 3, and further medical findings have not been reported.