New details have emerged nine months after Lady Joan Sarah Drummond Branson died at The Lister Hospital following a fall. At an inquest hearing this week, it was confirmed that Joan, 80, died as a result of complications from a back injury.
According to The Sun, an expert stated there was also "clear evidence of pulmonary embolism," which occurs when a blood clot blocks blood vessels in the lungs. The expert added that there was an "overwhelming likelihood" that Joan also had deep vein thrombosis, where a blood clot forms in a vein.
Coroner calls for lessons to be learned
During the inquest, Professor Fiona Wilcox, senior coroner for Inner West London, declared that lessons must be learned from the tragic case. "I want to explore the facts, come to the correct conclusions and learn lessons from this," she said.
As part of the inquest, Joan's husband, Sir Richard Branson, and daughter, Holly, clarified that they had no intention of blaming anyone for her death. "I believe mum had great care. The doctors saved her life three years ago, giving us all three more years together," Holly explained. "We just want to help other families if there are any lessons to be learned."
Inquest to consider blood thinners and stockings
Next week, the inquest is expected to decide whether Joan should have been prescribed blood thinners. It will also seek to determine if the 80-year-old had been wearing anti-clot stockings when she died.
Virgin founder Richard announced Joan's death in November last year. "Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away," he wrote on Instagram. "She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for. She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan."
In a separate post, Richard added that he and his two children, Holly and Sam, had come together to mourn his wife of 36 years. "Holly, Sam and I are all together now, doing our best to smile through the tears and to focus on all the good things Joan brought into our world. There are so many," he said.
He also recounted how he had been moved to a room just down the corridor from Joan while she was recovering from her back injury. "We had a lovely lunch that day. She was in positive spirits and getting stronger. She smiled at me, that radiant smile that lit up her whole face, the same smile I fell in love with the very first moment I saw her, half a century ago. Then suddenly, she was gone, quickly and painlessly. And thankfully, I was right by her side."
Richard concluded: "Joan was my everything, the shining star around which our family's universe has always orbited. That light is not gone; it's just taken on a new shape. It will guide us forward. And we will carry her with us, always."
