Death and state funeral of Stanley Wyford

On 16th May 1993, Stanley Wyford, the 27th prime minister of Jonathia, died of pneumonia at 10 Dybridge Street in Jetzeburg City. He was the second prime minister after Bob Hunter to die in office. At the age of , Wyford was the youngest prime minister to take office, a record which was surpassed by Jonas Albert upon their inauguration on February 21st, 2017.
Upon Wyford's death, deputy prime minister Boris Clark, who was on holiday in Miller at the time of Wyford's death, immediately became prime minister. Upon returning to Jetzeburg, Clark declared a national day of mourning and ordered all flags "throughout Jonathia and its overseas territories" lowered to half staff for 30 days after his death. The state funeral of Stanley Wyford was the official funerary rites conducted by the Government of Jonathia which occurred over a period of four days from May 26 to 30, 1993. 86 heads of state attended his funeral, amongst other officials from across Jonathia and around the world.
== Background ==
Wyford had begun to develop symptoms of pneumonia around early 1993. In March of 1993, he was officially diagnosed with pneumonia, though at his request, the government downplayed his illness as a cold, in an attempt to not give his opposition an upper hand. Due to his pneumonia, Wyford missed several events out of concern for his health, and many of his cabinet ministers were sent in his place. This noticeable absence raised concerns amongst the press about his health.
Wyford was interviewed on the TV7 current affairs program A Further Look, on April 11th, 1993, by Rick Baffin and Darren Fischman. During the interview, Fischman questioned him on his "cold". After a quiet back and forth between the two, Wyford famously snapped, yelling at Fischman, "I am not ill. I am perfectly well. If I was not well, I wouldn't be on this interview." This interview further increased rumours about his health.
Wyford's final public appearance was on May 15th, 1993, during which he greeted young members of the Jonathian Army. During the event, Wyford, who was wearing a thick woolen jacket and gloves, looked noticeably pale.
== Death ==
On May 16th, 1993, Wyford was visited by several cabinet members. At 12:54pm JST, on May 16th, 1993, as the cabinet members were leaving, Wyford slowly walked up to the lounge room of 10 Dybridge Street. Walking in, he found his wife, Lelaina Wyford, sat on the couch watching 4NET. Wyford walked past Lelaina and called to a butler, asking for a glass of water. Immediately after, Wyford collapsed and landed on the couch. He was immediately tended to by Lelaina, as well as two assistants, and Nedward Petway, the Secretary of Citizen Affairs, the latter of whom was in the process of departing but rushed back into the building after hearing what he described as "a loud crash".
Wyford was soon taken, eleven minutes later, to NHS Westwharf. Despite doctors' best efforts to restore his health, Wyford passed away at 2:02:38pm JST, on May 16th, 1993. Boris Clark, who was on holiday at his family's estate in western Miller, became prime minister upon Wyford's death. He was informed of Wyford's death around 3:30pm, and returned to Jetzeburg about two hours later.
Wyford's death was publicly announced at 6:00pm JST.
== Reactions ==
=== Domestic ===
At 6:30pm JST, Clark gave a statement on national television, saying "The nation's hearts are truly broken tonight, for its leader has fallen." Former prime minister Joshua Burton said of Wyford, "His term was short but notable. He achieved a lot, and set in motion what will be years of progress in Jonathia's history. Death is not how a democratically-elected leader should go out."
=== International ===
== Period of national mourning ==
== State funeral ==
=== Dignitaries ===
Category:Events
Category:History of Jonathia
Category:Jonathia
Category:Stanley Wyford
Category:Death of Stanley Wyford
Category:1993