A woman died in her seat aboard a UK-bound flight after falling asleep on her mother’s shoulder, an inquest has heard.
American attorney Rachel Green was on the Delta flight to London from Minneapolis to conduct research for a novel she was writing on Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Ms Green, 44, fell asleep on her mother’s shoulder during the seven-and-a-half-hour flight, but was found unresponsive by members of the cabin crew.
An inquest held at West London Coroner’s Court heard Ms Green, from East Bethel in Minnesota, had a multitude of prescription drugs in her system at the time of her death.
She was also found to have an undiagnosed cardiac condition, which, combined with the medications in her system, was understood to have likely led to her death.
Ms Green’s sister, Roxanne Carney, paid tribute to her sister in a statement, calling her ‘a saint’ and ‘the best aunt in the world’ to her son, Jack.
Mrs Carney, who lives in California, said her sister was an attorney who also worked in insurance and had a keen interest in history.
Her statement read: ‘On April 30th, 2025, we lost an angel on earth and gained one in heaven.’My beloved sister and friend to so many, Rachel S. Green, passed away peacefully in her sleep as she was flying from Minneapolis to London for a much-anticipated trip to the UK.
‘Rachel had spent the past couple of years recovering from an unexpected illness, relearning to walk, and having to relocate back to her hometown in Minnesota to recuperate.
‘She exuded unyielding strength and courage at even the most difficult times.
‘My sister was the absolutely most incredible and selfless person in this world.
‘Rachel was a true saint. She gave to everyone and found true joy in helping others.
‘If we could all be more like Rachel, the world would be a better place.’
Recording a verdict of misadventure, Senior Coroner Lydia Brown said: ‘This lady simply died whilst on a flight.
‘She was coming to our country to do some research, staying for some time with her mother.
‘Instead, she did not even get off the plane without her mother and sister being bereaved.
‘Poor Rachel never did [finish] that book. I wish it were different; it is not.’
The inquest heard statements from passengers on board the flight from Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport to London Heathrow on April 30 last year.
One passenger recalled the ‘awful’ moment a tannoy went out on the plane, asking if any doctors were on board.
It also heard from pathologist Dr Alan Bates, who said Ms Green’s heart was ‘normal,’ other than one of her coronary arteries being covered by myocardial tunnelling – a condition where a section of an artery travels underneath the heart muscle, instead of on its surface.
He also identified a number of substances in Ms Green’s blood, including several anti-depressants, melatonin, cannabinoids and a low concentration of alcohol.
Ms Green had a history of health issues and had received psychiatric care, the inquest heard.
Mrs Carney, who works in the psychiatric field, questioned the amount of prescription drugs she was on during her sister’s inquest, stating her sister had had an ‘abnormal’ heart test that was not investigated further.
She said: ‘I wonder why she was never referred to a cardiologist before being prescribed this combination.
‘Why was she on this regimen? Why are they prescribing this combination of medications?
‘If you can see all the records, ethically, how can you do this?’
Coroner Ms Brown answered: ‘It is reviewed here. Unfortunately, the entirety of your population doesn’t seem to have that.
‘I am not here to criticise another system – especially not in these dangerous times.
‘[It is] unusual to find so many different [drugs]. Matters are done very differently in the US.
‘There is no evidence that Rachel had any opportunity to be resuscitated. Her death appears to have been instantaneous.
‘Rachel was travelling on a flight from the USA to Heathrow Airport when she was found to be unresponsive in her seat.
‘Professional rescuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
‘Rachel had taken a range of complex medications, but there was no evidence she was taking any in excess.
‘She also had a congenital heart condition. This contributed to her death, along with the medications.’
Ms Brown added there was ‘no evidence’ Ms Green had been recreationally using any drugs.
Mrs Carney said her sister was visiting the UK to research for a historical fiction book she was halfway through writing about Eleanor of Aquitaine, who was Queen of France from 1137 to 1152 as the wife of King Louis VII and later Queen of England from 1154 to 1189 as the wife of King Henry II.
‘Rachel was secretly a brilliant writer,’ Mrs Carney said.
‘She was finally writing again and on her way to London to further research her historical fiction on Eleanor of Aquitaine.
‘She fell asleep peacefully on her flight on her mother’s shoulder and, for reasons forever unknown, never woke up.
‘We are at the greatest loss as we piece together a life without her physically present, but forever with us.
‘Rachel was beyond selfless, always taking care of everyone around her and trying to guide people to the goodness in life, be it travelling, enjoying a play, or a gathering.
‘During her time back in Minnesota, she revisited her love of theatre with the Lakeshore Players Theatre. It gave her great joy to be involved in something she loved.’
Mrs Carney added that she wishes to finish her sister’s book, and has set up a fundraiser for Lakeshore Players Theatre in Minnesota, as well as for the purchase of her memorial at Golders Green Crematorium in London.
