Attorney's Sudden Death on Flight Linked to Heart Condition

Rachel Green, a 44-year-old attorney and writer, died unexpectedly on April 30, 2025, while on a Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis to London. She was traveling to the U.K. to conduct research for a historical fiction project.

U.K. investigators at the West London Coroner's Court concluded that Green's death was likely a result of an undiagnosed heart condition, specifically myocardial tunneling, in conjunction with prescription medications. Pathologist Dr. Alan Bates noted the presence of multiple substances in her blood, including melatonin, antidepressants, and a small amount of alcohol.

Senior Coroner Lydia Brown stated that while Green took a "range of complex medications," there was no evidence of overdose. She highlighted that the congenital heart condition contributed to the death. Green's sister, Roxanne Carney, expressed concern, noting a prior "abnormal" heart test that was not further investigated, and questioned the medical rationale behind the prescribed medication combination.

Carney raised ethical questions regarding the prescription of such a regimen, especially given her sister's medical history. The coroner acknowledged that practices in the U.K. differ significantly from those in the U.S. regarding medication reviews. Green was also noted for her strength and courage, having recently recovered from a serious illness.