Andre Yarham, from Dereham in Norfolk, sadly died just after Christmas Day as details of his battle with frontotemporal dementia due to a protein mutation have been shared
The heartbreaking death of Britain’s youngest dementia sufferer has revealed he lost the ability to speak and eat before he tragically passed away.
Andre Yarham, from Dereham in Norfolk, sadly died at the age of 24 just days after Christmas on December 27. He was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia due to a protein mutation just before he turned 23.
In a year since his diagnosis, Andre was cruelly left the a brain medical experts said was like that of a 70-year-old. The illness also robbed him of being able to speak, according to his mum in the lead up to his death.
His mother Sam Fairbairn, 49, revealed the sadness she felt watching her son’s rapid decline from the first signs back in 2022.
The family began to notice Andre becoming absent-minded and would display a vacant expression when addressed.
By the time Andre was diagnosed in 2023 following an MRI scan, her son already possessed the brain of a 70-year-old and that he was suffering from early-onset dementia.
The cruel illness would then rob Andre, who was working at Lotus Cars before his symptoms caused him to struggle, of his speech, mobility and even his ability to eat.
Heartbreakingly, his mum revealed to the BBC that the cruel illness did not rob him of his laugh despite Andre only being able to communicate verbally through noises.
Speaking to the BBC, She said: “One thing it never done until the very, very end was take away his personality, his sense of humour, his laughter and his smile.”
Sam also spoke of her sadness as his decline set in and towards the end, Andre was no longer aware of his family’s presence.
She said: “In that time, his speech went totally. He was just making noises. The last six months was when we started to see a very rapid decline.
“He was moving less and less. Andre was struggling to feed himself, pick up a cup, becoming very unsteady. We had to make the hard decision to move him into a nursing home which he went into at the beginning of the September.
“He walked into his room which we’d all decorated for him. Within a month he was in a wheelchair and had to be hoisted.”
Following three weeks in hospital after suffering an infection towards the end of 2025, Andre was transferred to Priscilla Bacon Lodge Hospice. He spent just over a week there before passing away on December 27.
Sam and Andre’s relatives donated his brain to scientific research in the hope it will advance dementia studies.
His mum added: “If people do have concerns about loved ones and their memories, there are tests available and go to your GP.
“We want to thank everyone who has shown us love and support with Andre’s journey.”
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