Jesy Nelson's Car Stolen with Twins' Vital Medical Equipment Inside
Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has made an urgent public appeal after her car, containing crucial medical equipment for her young twin daughters, was stolen from outside her home in Essex. The distressing incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, with the theft believed to have taken place around 3am in Brentwood.
Essential Medical Gear Taken
The stolen vehicle, a black Land Rover Defender with the registration plate JJ73SSY, was taken from Nelson's driveway. Inside was vital hospital equipment used to care for her 11-month-old twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster. Both girls have been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1), a severe genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and can severely impact movement and development.
Jesy Nelson wrote on Instagram: "My car got stolen off my driveway in the early hours of this morning, if anyone sees a black Defender reg plate JJ73SSY. Please, if any of you have seen or know of any information, can you DM me or contact the police. I have so much of my girls' hospital equipment in that car that's really needed."
£10,000 Reward Offered
The 34-year-old singer has confirmed she is offering a substantial £10,000 reward for information that leads to the recovery of her car and the essential medical equipment. Nelson welcomed her daughters in May 2025 after a premature birth and has been candid about their diagnosis and the challenges ahead.
She previously explained: "We were told that they're probably never going to be able to walk; they probably will never regain their neck strength, so they will be disabled, and so the best thing we can do right now is to get them treatment, and then just hope for the best. Thankfully, the girls have had their treatment, which you know, I'm so grateful for because if they don't have it, they will die."
Understanding Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Spinal muscular atrophy type 1 is the most severe and common form of the condition, characterized by muscle deterioration, loss of movement, and in serious cases, paralysis. According to NHS statistics, approximately 70 babies are born with spinal muscular atrophy each year in the United Kingdom. Without treatment, fewer than one in ten children with SMA1 survive beyond the age of two, representing approximately 8% of cases.
Jesy Nelson has used her platform to raise awareness about SMA1, particularly highlighting that early diagnosis is crucial. She noted during a Heart Breakfast interview: "It's completely curable if it's caught early. But for some reason, it's not part of the heel-prick test that every newborn gets. It comes down to money — and that's heartbreaking, because early diagnosis can change a child's entire life."
Family's Journey and Awareness Campaign
After giving birth, Nelson moved to Cornwall hoping for a peaceful family life. It was her mother who first noticed signs that something might be wrong with the twins. "Mum spotted it straight away; their little legs weren't moving. I hadn't noticed because I'd been told not to compare them to full-term babies," Jesy told interviewers Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden.
Doctors later confirmed the twins had SMA, a muscle-wasting condition that affects motor control and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Theakston praised Nelson's advocacy, saying: "Just by talking about this, Jesy, you're changing lives." Amanda Holden agreed: "Absolutely — it's life-saving awareness."
Now focusing on her children's progress, Jesy says she has learned to celebrate every tiny step forward. "It's still 50/50 — you never know how they'll progress," she explained. "But when I see them holding their heads up for five seconds, that's my new milestone. That's my win."
The theft of her vehicle containing the twins' medical equipment represents a significant setback for the family, who rely on this specialized gear for daily care and treatment. Authorities are investigating the incident, and the public has been urged to come forward with any information that might help recover the stolen items.
