American lawyer Rachel Green dies after falling asleep on mother’s shoulder on flight to London
An American lawyer traveling to England on a research trip died suddenly during the flight after falling asleep on his mother’s shoulder, a judicial inquest has heard.
Rachel Green, 44, fell asleep and became unresponsive on April 30, 2025, while on a seven-hour flight from Minneapolis to London to do historical research for her book about Eleanor of Aquitaine.
The cabin crew tried to resuscitate the Minnesota-born lawyer but were unsuccessful.
Ms Green had a number of prescription drugs in her system at the time of her death and also had an undiagnosed heart condition, the inquest heard at West London Coroner’s Court heard. SWNS.
The inquest heard that although she was not an excessive user of drugs, a combination of multiple antidepressants, prescription medication containing melatonin and cannabinoids, and a heart condition “probably” led to Ms Green’s death.
Pathologist Dr. According to Alan Bates, Ms. Green’s heart was “normal” except for the coronary artery, which was covered by myocardial tunneling.
Senior Coroner Lydia Brown said: “His death appears to have been sudden.”
Ms. Green had also previously received psychiatric care; his sister, Roxanne Carney, questioned this during the coronial inquest after revealing her sister had reported an “abnormal” heart test that went untreated.
“I wonder why she was never referred to a cardiologist before being prescribed this combination,” he said.
“Why was he on this treatment regimen? Why are they prescribing this combination of medications?”
Ms Carney paid tribute to her “angel” sister in a GoFundMe post, describing her as “beyond selfless” and “always caring for everyone around her”.
“She had finally started writing again (side note: Rachel was secretly a great writer) and was heading to London to further research her historical fiction about Eleanor of Aquitaine,” Ms. Carney explained.
“We experience the greatest loss as we piece together a life where he is not physically present but will be with us forever.”
According to Ms. Carney, her sister had become ill and had to return home to focus on her health before her untimely death.
“Rachel has 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,” Ms. Carney said.
“Even in the most difficult times, he exuded indomitable strength and courage.”
