Family Seeks Answers After Tragic Death on Transatlantic Flight
The family of a Minnesota woman is speaking publicly following her sudden death during an international flight to London, with new findings from a coroner's inquest raising serious questions about her medical care.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Rachel Green, a 44-year-old attorney and writer from Minnesota, died on April 30, 2025, while traveling on a Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis to London. According to her family's GoFundMe page, Green had fallen asleep on her mother's shoulder during the flight but never woke up, creating a devastating scenario for her traveling companion.
The West London Coroner's Court recently heard evidence about the circumstances surrounding Green's death. According to reports from The Irish Sun, pathologist Dr. Alan Bates found multiple substances in her blood system, including melatonin, antidepressants, and a small amount of alcohol during the post-mortem examination.
Medical Findings and Family Concerns
Dr. Bates reportedly discovered evidence of myocardial tunneling, a congenital condition where an artery travels through the heart muscle rather than on its surface. Senior Coroner Lydia Brown stated that Green had been taking a "range of complex medications" but emphasized 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," Brown reportedly told the court.
Green's sister, Roxanne Carney, revealed to The Irish Sun that her sister had previously received an "abnormal" heart test result that was never investigated further. Carney is now questioning why Green was never referred to a cardiologist before being prescribed the combination of medications she was taking.
"Why was she on this regimen? Why are they prescribing this combination of medications?" Carney reportedly asked. "If you can see all the records, ethically, how can you do this?"
Transatlantic Medical Practice Differences
Senior Coroner Brown highlighted differences between medical practices in the United Kingdom and the United States during the proceedings. She noted that medication regimens are typically "reviewed" in the UK, but observed that "the entirety of your population doesn't seem to have that" in reference to American healthcare practices.
"[It is] unusual to find so many different [drugs]. Matters are done very differently in the U.S.," Brown reportedly commented during the inquest.
Remembering Rachel Green
According to her family's tribute on the GoFundMe page, Green was traveling to London to conduct research for an upcoming historical fiction work about Eleanor of Aquitaine, the influential medieval queen. She was described as a "brilliant writer" with a passionate love of theatre.
"Rachel was beyond selfless, always taking care of everyone around her and trying to guide people to the goodness in life, be it traveling, enjoying a play, or a gathering," her family wrote in their emotional tribute.
The family also revealed that Green had recently recovered from an "unexpected illness" that had forced her to relocate to her hometown in Minnesota and relearn how to walk. Despite these challenges, they described her as someone who "exuded unyielding strength and courage at even the most difficult times."
The Independent has reportedly contacted both Carney and Delta Air Lines for comment regarding the tragic incident and the subsequent coroner's findings.
