Andre Yarham was just 24 years old when he passed away. He was known as Britain’s youngest dementia sufferer.

For his family, his death followed a cruel battle with a disease that usually affects people decades older.

According to Britain’s news outlets, doctors discovered that the young man from Dereham, Norfolk, had the brain of a 70-year-old following a shock diagnosis.

A Typical Young Life

Before the illness took hold, Andre lived a normal life. He was a fan of wrestling and enjoyed school sports like rugby and football. He spent much of his free time playing FIFA or Call of Duty on his Xbox with his friends.

As he entered the workforce, he found a job at Lotus Cars in Norwich. There, he worked as a specialist replacing car headliners in luxury vehicles. He was described by those close to him as a "cheeky lad" with a great sense of humour.

The Warning Signs

The first signs that something was wrong appeared in 2022. Andre began to grow forgetful.

His mother, Sam Fairbairn, noticed he would sometimes have a blank look on his face when people spoke to him.

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At times, he would ignore people entirely, as if he had not heard them.

His family also noticed he was moving and speaking very slowly. He eventually left his job because he was struggling to get through the day, though he could not explain what was wrong.

A Rare Diagnosis

In 2023, an MRI scan revealed the devastating truth. A consultant told Sam that her son had the brain of a 70-year-old. He was diagnosed with early-onset frontotemporal dementia just one month before his 23rd birthday.

The Final Months

The decline was rapid. Andre soon required round-the-clock care. His mother helped him with every daily task, from bathing to picking out his clothes. Within months of his diagnosis, his speech vanished entirely, leaving him only able to make noises.

By September 2025, he moved into a nursing home. Although the family decorated his room to make it feel like home, he was in a wheelchair and required a hoist within just four weeks.

In December, an infection led to a final decline. Andre passed away on 27 December.

A Gift to Science

Despite their heartbreak, Andre’s family has chosen to help others. They have donated his brain to medical research to help fight the disease.

"If Andre has been able to help just one more family have a precious few more years with a loved one, that would mean the absolute world,” said his mother.