‘Selfless’ Lawyer, 44, Died on Plane After Falling Asleep on Her Mom’s Shoulder Mid-Flight

YOU NEED TO KNOW

• A lawyer died in 2025 after falling asleep on his mother’s shoulder during a flight, a UK inquest has heard

• Rachel Green, 44, had multiple prescription medications in her system, as well as an undiagnosed heart condition that is believed to have possibly contributed to her death.

• Green’s sister said her brother had had an “abnormal” heart test in the past but “was never referred to a cardiologist.”

A lawyer reportedly died after falling asleep on his mother’s shoulder during a flight to England.

Rachel Green, 44, became unresponsive on a plane while traveling from Minneapolis, Minn., to London on April 30, 2025. SWNS.

During the flight, which lasted more than seven hours, Green reportedly fell asleep on her mother’s shoulder, but the cabin crew were unable to wake her.

An inquest at West London Coroner’s Court heard Green had a number of prescription drugs in his system at the time of his death, SWNS reported. It was also learned that he had an undiagnosed heart disease.

The combination of drugs and a heart condition likely contributed to Green’s death, the inquest said.

“There is no evidence that Rachel had any chance of being resuscitated,” Senior Coroner Lydia Brown said, adding that her death “appeared to be a sudden event,” according to SWNS.

Roxanne Carney said her sister “spent the last few years recovering from an unexpected illness, relearning how to walk, and having to return to her hometown of Minnesota to recuperate.” GoFundMe It was created after Green’s death.

Carney also claimed that Green had an “abnormal” heart test in the past but maintained that he “was never referred to a cardiologist” before prescribing certain medications to his sister, according to SWNS.

But Brown said there was “no evidence” that Green had taken “too much” of any of the drugs. He also said there was “no evidence” that Green used recreational drugs.

Carney said in his statement that Green went to London to do research for the historical fiction book he wrote about Eleanor of Aquitaine, the former queen of France and England.

Carney now hopes to finish the book in honor of his sister, according to SWNS.

In his statement, Carney stated that Green “exuded indomitable strength and courage even in the most difficult times” and called her “a saint” and “the best aunt in the world”.

“We are experiencing the greatest loss as we piece together a life without him physically but one that will be with us forever,” Green’s sister said.

He later added: “Rachel was beyond selfless; she always cared about everyone around her and tried to guide people to the good in life, whether it was traveling, enjoying a play or a meeting.”

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As of Wednesday, January 28, more than $5,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe launched after Green’s death.

Funds donated to the online fundraiser will go towards the Lakeshore Players Theater in Minnesota, where Green recently “revisited his love of theatre”, and a memorial service for Green at Golders Green Crematorium in London.

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