Former Denver Broncos player Patrick Murtagh and his partner, influencer and Niu Swim founder Hannah Orval, are mourning the devastating loss of their newborn son. The couple took to Instagram on Friday to share that their first child together, Meelo Michael Murtagh, was born prematurely and tragically passed away.
In a joint statement, the grieving parents described their profound heartbreak, revealing that baby Meelo was born "sleeping."
"He will forever be the biggest missing piece of the rest of our story," the couple shared. "To be a family for even just for a day was irreplaceable."
Orval also posted a series of emotional reflections on her Instagram Story, detailing the immense physical and emotional toll of the tragedy while praising Murtagh for his unwavering support in the delivery room. Accompanying a heartbreaking black-and-white image of their son in a crocheted outfit, Orval wrote:
"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."
She added that despite the crushing loss, she "would do it over again every day in every lifetime to meet him."
The couple, who have been together since 2023 and went public with their romance the following year, originally announced the pregnancy on May 2. At the time, they joyously referred to Meelo as their "rainbow baby," a term lovingly used to describe a child expected after a previous pregnancy loss. Alongside her tributes, Orval also shared a poignant photo of the nursery they had been preparing for his arrival.
Murtagh, an Australian athlete, began his professional sports career in the Australian Football League playing for the Gold Coast Suns before transitioning to American football. He signed with the NFL's Denver Broncos in August 2025 and is currently a free agent.