Former Wimbledon star Annabel Croft has spoken about the traumatic final moments of her husband Mel Coleman's life, detailing an encounter with a nurse she described as 'cruel'. Coleman died from colon cancer in May 2023 at the age of 60, just 16 weeks after his diagnosis.
Nurse's Behaviour Described as 'Mocking'
Croft, a former tennis professional, recounted how one nurse seemed to take pleasure in telling her husband he was dying. In an interview with MailOnline, Croft said she asked the nurse to speak privately first, but the nurse refused, insisting that Coleman, as the patient, needed to hear the news directly. The nurse reportedly told the family that Coleman had only hours to live, laughing at their son Charlie's question about whether it was months or weeks.
Croft said the nurse also informed them that Coleman would not be resuscitated if he had a heart attack, despite his explicit wish for no do-not-resuscitate order. Croft described the nurse's tone as 'enjoying it' and said the memory has kept her awake at night.
Family's Grief and Croft's Reflection
Croft acknowledged that most of the nurses caring for her husband were 'angels', but she condemned this particular individual. She questioned whether the nurse could be a 'psychopath', given the apparent pleasure she seemed to derive from the situation. Coleman's death came as a shock to the family, occurring rapidly after his cancer diagnosis.
Croft and her children—Amber, Charlie, and Lily—were present at his bedside. The experience has left a lasting impact on Croft, who continues to speak about the need for compassionate end-of-life care.
