New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai and his partner, Kalei Mau, are in mourning after the loss of their baby girl.
“This is not the way I wanted to announce my second pregnancy but I was 6 months pregnant with another beautiful baby girl,” Mau wrote via Instagram on Thursday, December 11, along with a photo of Tavai, 29, and their older daughter, Honua, 13 months.
“We were expecting to welcome her into our Ohana in March 2026,” the post continued, featuring photos of Mau’s baby bump and her in a hospital bed. “But I got an extremely rare blood infection and on November 20 I was placed in a medically induced coma after I was found unresponsive in my bed. I was asleep for 6 days.”
Mau said their baby “passed away in the womb” because she was experiencing organ failure and sickness “infecting” her placenta. Her body went into “natural labor” hours later, and Mau had to deliver the baby “unconscious.”
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Mau explained that she woke up “by the grace of god and the power of prayer.” She revealed that they named the baby Ka ua, explaining that the name means “The Rain” in Olelo O Hawai’i.
“The day after I got out the hospital I got to kiss my daughter for the first and last time,” Mau continued. “She was perfect to me, it was so hard to leave her. But when I walked outside it started to rain and it brought me joy to know she’ll always be with me.”
Mau included a photo of the baby’s footprints, as well as videos of her being supported by family, friends and staff at the hospital.
“GOD IS THE TRUTH AND IM HIS LIVING PROOF,” Mau wrote in the caption of the post. “I am so grateful for my life and my purpose is now more clear than ever. Been to heaven and back to love on my loved ones a little longer and to live for God and my baby angel Ka ua Tavai🤍.”
Courtesy of Kalei Mau/Instagram
“Thank you for all the prayers & Aloha,” she continued. “Thank you to all the incredible doctors & loving nurses at Mass General hospital that help save my life. Thank you to my New England Patriots family for supporting us every way you could, this is such a special team I’m honored to be a part of. Thank you to my Ohana for staying hopeful, having faith, being strong for me, & never leaving my side. I love you all so very much. I’m home now healing and still processing but with a grateful heart. God bless & Aloha always🫶🏽.”
The comments section of the post flooded with an outpouring of love from Mau’s followers.
“God is so good😭 Your testimony is so powerful, sending love to you and your ohana 🙏💕,” musician Payton Sullivan wrote.
“Your GOD light is absolutely incredible. We are so in awe of your strength. Your beautiful Angel baby Ka Ua will always be with you loving protecting and guiding you. Sending positive healing energy beautiful 💞🙏🏾,” a second person said.
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“Kalei, I cannot imagine what you’ve been through but thanks be to God for being with you. Continuing to pray for your healing and comfort and for God to continue to surround you and your Ohana with his Heavenly angels and peace💓🙏🏽,” a third person commented.
Tavai has been a member of the New England Patriots since 2021. He previously played for the Detroit Lions from 2019 to 2020. Mau documented her first pregnancy and parenthood journey via Instagram after announcing daughter Honua’s arrival in November 2024, calling it the “most special day of my life.”
“I have never felt a love so deep & true. Still processing the beauty & blessing of life. Mahalo Ke Akua!” she wrote via Instagram at the time.