Tragic Discovery on Transatlantic Flight as Passenger Found Unresponsive
A coroner's court has heard the distressing details of how a 44-year-old woman died after falling asleep on her mother's shoulder during a flight from the United States to London Heathrow. The incident occurred on April 30, 2025, aboard a Delta Air Lines service from Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport to the UK's busiest airport.
Alarm Raised When Passenger Could Not Be Woken
Rachel Green, an attorney and writer from East Bethel, Minnesota, was traveling to the United Kingdom to conduct research for a book she was writing about Eleanor of Aquitaine. During the seven-and-a-half-hour transatlantic journey, she dozed off resting against her mother.
The situation turned critical when both her mother and cabin crew members found themselves unable to rouse Ms Green from her slumber. Passengers on the flight later recalled the "awful" moment when an announcement was made over the aircraft's tannoy system, urgently requesting any medical professionals on board to come forward.
Medical Findings Reveal Complex Health Background
West London Coroner's Court heard that post-mortem examinations revealed Ms Green had an undiagnosed cardiac condition alongside a multitude of prescription medications in her system. Pathologist Dr Alan Bates told the inquest that while Ms Green's heart was generally "normal", one of her coronary arteries exhibited myocardial tunnelling - a condition where a section of artery travels beneath the heart muscle rather than on its surface.
Dr Bates identified several substances in Ms Green's blood, including multiple anti-depressants, melatonin, cannabinoids, and a low concentration of alcohol. The inquest was informed that Ms Green had a history of health issues and had previously received psychiatric care.
Family Tributes and Unanswered Questions
Ms Green's sister, Roxanne Carney, who works in the psychiatric field and lives in California, paid emotional tribute to her sibling, describing her as "a saint" and "the best aunt in the world" to her son Jack. Mrs Carney questioned the combination of prescription medications her sister had been taking, revealing that Ms Green had previously received an "abnormal" heart test that was not investigated further.
"I wonder why she was never referred to a cardiologist before being prescribed this combination," Mrs Carney stated during the proceedings. "Why was she on this regimen? Why are they prescribing this combination of medications?"
Coroner's Verdict and Reflections
Senior Coroner Lydia Brown recorded a verdict of misadventure, noting that Ms Green had simply died while on the flight. She observed that the combination of Ms Green's congenital heart condition and the medications she was taking had contributed to her death, while emphasising there was "no evidence" that Ms Green had been using any drugs recreationally or taking medications in excess.
"This lady simply died whilst on a flight," Coroner Brown stated. "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."
The coroner added that resuscitation attempts by medical professionals on the flight had been unsuccessful, and that Ms Green's death appeared to have been instantaneous. She noted the unusual number of different medications found in Ms Green's system, while acknowledging that medical practices differ between countries.
Ms Green had spent the previous two years recovering from an unexpected illness, during which time she had to relearn to walk and relocated back to her hometown in Minnesota to recuperate. Her sister described how she "exuded unyielding strength and courage at even the most difficult times" and was "the absolutely most incredible and selfless person in this world."
