Dame Jilly Cooper’s death was caused by a head injury, coroner says

Dame Jilly Cooper suffered a fatal head injury during a fall at her Gloucestershire home, an inquest heard.

The writer, known for her steamy romance novels such as Riders, Rivals and Polo, was found by her family at her home in Bisley at around 17:00 BST on 4 October.

Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court was told that Dame Jilly was initially alert and paramedics took her to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, but her condition deteriorated.

He died in hospital, in the presence of his family, at 0830 BST on 5 October.

Katy Skerrett, Gloucestershire’s chief coroner, concluded accidental death and said Dame Jilly, 88, died as a result of a traumatic subdural haematoma.

Skerrett said Dame Jilly had been unable to account for what had happened, but it was believed she had fallen down a flight of stairs “as there was a trail of blood” in that area of ​​her home.

An urgent CT scan revealed he had suffered a skull fracture.

“The medical opinion was that this head injury was unfortunately catastrophic and therefore probably a terminal event,” Mrs Skerrett added.

“She felt comfortable but sadly her condition deteriorated and she passed away in the emergency department with her family present.”

In a statement, the South West Ambulance Service confirmed that he had been called at 5.35 BST on October 4 and arrived at Dame Jilly’s home around 20 minutes later.

Skerrett said: “The patient was able to speak to the crew upon arrival.

“She had no direct memory of the previous events. She wasn’t sure how she had fallen. She had a vague memory of falling.”

Dr William Nattrass, Dame Jilly’s GP for about 14 years, said she had suffered two falls previously, in 2018 and September 2024.

“Despite her decreased mobility, she was managing well and remained as bright and attractive as ever,” he said in a statement read to the court.

The coroner said: “The circumstances surrounding his tragic death were that he had suffered an unwitnessed fall at his home on October 4. He fell, perhaps down some stairs, suffering a significant head injury.

“There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his fall. He later died on October 5, in the presence of his family.

“This is a case of accidental death, the accident was the unwitnessed fall of Dame Cooper in the direction of Dame Cooper, which triggered the tragic events that followed thereafter.

“May this office extend its deepest condolences to the family of Dame Cooper.”

Dame Jilly’s novels often portrayed the scandals, sex life and social circles of the wealthy horse-loving country.

Rivals was recently made into a hugely successful television series starring celebrities such as David Tennant and Danny Dyer.

When her children announced her death, Queen Camilla described the author as “a legend.”