Woman lost her mom at 11 and thought she'd never hear her voice again — until a stranger sent her a cassette

The loss of a parent stays with you, even after decades have passed, and for those who lose a parent at a young age, that absence becomes part of their everyday life. Over time, the details can begin to blur, especially the sound of their voice, which is often the first thing to fade. That was the case for Hanna Neter, a UK radio presenter who posts as @hannaneter on X (formerly Twitter), and who hadn’t heard her mother’s voice since she was 11 years old. More than 25 years later, she received a message that gave her the chance to hear it again.

In her post, Neter wrote, "My mum died when I was 11. Recently, I was contacted by someone on Facebook who interviewed her for her dissertation and had found the tape recording. So, this weekend, I’ve heard her voice for the first time in more than 25 years!" She didn’t share exactly what was on the tape, but hearing her mother speak again after all that time clearly meant more than she could put into words, and this kind of experience isn’t unusual. A 2023 case study published in OMEGA – Journal of Death and Dying documented a person who regularly heard the voice of a loved one after their death. The study found that these auditory experiences were not only common but also meaningful, offering a sense of connection that helped with grief. It showed how memory, especially through sound, can carry emotional weight even years after a loss — something that Hanna’s story reflected in a very personal way.

The story struck a chord with others who knew what it felt like to miss someone’s voice long after they’re gone. @CindyEtherton4 replied, "The thought that you heard your mother's voice has really moved me (and many, I'm sure), imagining your feelings. Amazing." @dcradio27 wrote, "This is a wonderful thing to hear your mum's voice again after so long." @Lawrence_Sprung added, "That’s beautiful. I hope the recording is bringing you comfort." @stacey_higgins penned, "My mom died when I was 11, too. I’m 44, and this made my heart stop reading it!" @SeanJHayes comforted Hanna, writing, "So sorry to hear your mum passed away when you were just 11, Hanna. I’m so glad the person contacted you and gave you that tape, though, and that you have something to always hear her again with. Sending love from Ireland!"

Some shared similar stories of keepsakes they held on to after the loss of their loved ones. @DuncanBarkes said, "I’ve got the same, but of my dad. So precious. Who would know a cassette could be so valuable?" @penny_diaz commented, "Wow! My mum died when I was 17 years old. And only last year, I was given a tape of her when she first arrived in the UK. It is surreal listening to their voice!" @bandit4470 suggested, "This is beautiful. I lost my mum just over two weeks ago. I know I'll never hear her voice again, but I still have it in my head. But to actually hear it again would mean the world to me. Please, if you haven't already, make copies of that. Ideally digitally."