Tess de la MareWest of England
Getty ImagesDame Jilly Cooper suffered a fatal head injury during a fall at her Gloucestershire home, an inquest was told.
The writer – known for her steamy romantic novels such as Riders, Rivals and Polo – was found by family at her home in Bisley at about 17:00 BST on 4 October.
Gloucestershire Coroners’ Court was told Dame Jilly was initially alert and taken by paramedics to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, but her condition deteriorated.
She died in hospital, with her family present, at 08.30 BST on 5 October.
Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, reached a conclusion of accidental death and said Dame Jilly, 88, died as a result of a traumatic subdural haematoma.
Ms Skerrett said Dame Jilly had been unable to give an account of 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 she had sustained a skull fracture.
“The medical opinion was that this head injury was unfortunately catastrophic and therefore likely a terminal event,” Ms Skerrett added.
“She was made comfortable, her condition sadly thereafter deteriorated and she passed away in the emergency department with family present.”
In a statement, South Western Ambulance Service confirmed it had been called at 5.35 BST on 4 October and arrived at Dame Jilly’s home about 20 minutes later.
Ms Skerrett said: “The patient was able to speak to crew on arrival.
“She had no direct recollection of events prior. She was unsure how she had fallen. She had a vague recollection of falling down.”
PA MediaDr William Nattrass, Dame Jilly’s GP for around 14 years, said that she had sustained two falls previously, in 2018 and September 2024.
“Despite slowing mobility, she was managing well and remained as bright and engaging as ever,” he said in a statement read to the court.
The coroner said: “The circumstances surrounding her tragic death were she had suffered an unwitnessed fall at her home address on 4 October. She fell, perhaps down some stairs, sustaining a significant head injury.
“There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her fall. She passed away later, on 5 October, with family present.
“This is a case of accidental death, the accident being the unwitnessed fall by Dame Cooper at Dame Cooper’s address, triggering the tragic events that thereafter followed.
“May this office extend their sincere condolences to Dame Cooper’s family.”
Dame Jilly’s novels often portrayed the scandals, sex lives and social circles of the wealthy horse-loving country set.
Rivals recently became a hugely successful TV series starring A-listers such as David Tennant and Danny Dyer.
When her death was announced by her children, Queen Camilla described the author as “a legend”.