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Her husband says she bled for 10 hours internally – then she was gone | ‘Our concerns were repeatedly dismissed’

Kira Johnson died at the hospital hours after she delivered their son. Her husband said their repeated calls for help were ignored. He wants the laws to change.

Faith Jessie

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Published: 5:27 PM CDT April 14, 2023
Updated: 4:48 PM CDT April 11, 2024

(Editor's note: Five years ago, 11Alive published the story of Kira Johnson - a mother who gave birth to her second child and, within 12 hours, died from a hemorrhage. As Saturday, April 13, 2024 marks eight years since her death, we are re-publishing this story from 2023 from a conversation with her husband Charles during Black Maternal Health Week with maternal health, particularly for Black Americans, still a major and under-addressed issue.)

Protecting mothers while they bring life into this world has become a mission for Charles Johnson IV. It's a cause that's personal to him because the mother of his own children lost her life in 2016.

Eight years ago, Charles' wife, Kira Johnson, died hours after she delivered their second child, Langston. It's a story 11Alive shared extensively in our Mothers Matter series. 

And even though it's been eight years, the time leading up to Kira’s last moments are still fresh in Charles’ mind. 

He shared her story with 11Alive once again in 2023 as he prepared for an event that will offer community support and workshops to educate metro Atlanta on Black maternal health resources.

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