A 15-year-old pregnant grammar schoolgirl from Kent and her baby have died.

Tragic Leah La Roche was rushed to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham last Thursday.

But it is not clear whether maternity staff tried to deliver her baby.

Mourners paying tribute to Leah referred to her child as Tia, a girl.

A coroner's officer has begun an investigation into the tragedy and there will be an inquest.

A spokeswoman for Kent Police confirmed a detective inspector was sent to Medway Maritime Hospital last Thursday following the "sudden death" of a 15-year-old girl, who was pregnant.

She said it was believed the teenager had died of natural causes following a cardiac arrest, but it was not known whether she died at home or at the hospital.

She confirmed the baby had also died.

It was not revealed how far into her pregnancy Leah was when she died.

Leah, a pupil at Chatham Grammar School for Girls, was engaged to her boyfriend Tom Leadbetter.

Hundreds of people have joined the Facebook page, RIP Leah La Roche, to post their memories of the blonde teenager.

One friend described Leah as "the most beautiful and inspiring person" she had ever met.

She wrote: "You always put a smile on my face and you knew so much about me that no one else does.

"I love you leelee and I'm so distraught we isn't get to meet that
beautiful baby girl of yours. Sleep well girls xxxzzz."

Kaye Tree wrote: "I may not have known you, but ive heard your an amazing, beautiful girl.

"Heaven has gained two beautiful girls in fact - Leah and your baby girl Tia."

Meanwhile, Leah's sister, Verity La Roche, has set up a tribute page on the website Gonetoosoon.org

In a moving tribute, she wrote: "A beautiful, loving and caring
daughter, sister, dranddaughter, niece, cousin, friend, fiancée to Tom and Aunty to Millie.

"Such a cruel loss of Leah and her beautiful baby Tia, they never got to share life together with us but we all know they are together now watching over us all and Leah is being the wonderful mum we all knew she was going to be.

"Words can't describe the pain of losing them. The number of people affected by their loss is testimony to how amazing, bright, funny, loveable, bubbly, happy and wonderful Leah is and how she is loved by SO many.

"We will miss her incredibly and never, ever forget her and her
beautiful ways x."

Another message, thought to be from her boyfriend Tom, said: "R.I.P Leah and Tia i love you both so much xxxxxxx."

Leah's sister Verity told friends Leah had had a flu jab recently.

A spokesman for Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said: "Medway NHS Foundation Trust is deeply saddened by the death of Leah and her baby and would like to extend its deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

"Leah's family do not wish us to make any further comments at this time. Everyone's thoughts are with them during this very difficult time."

Did you know Leah? Post your tribute to her in the comment box below.