Jean Kent: Film star may have suffered heart attack

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-27326871

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Film and TV star Jean Kent died from a fall at her home that might have been caused by a heart attack, a coroner has said.

The 92-year-old, who was a star of the 1940s and 1950s, lived in the village of Westhorpe, near Stowmarket, Suffolk.

Housekeeper Rita Betts found her in a bedroom in "considerable disarray" at about 11:30 GMT on 28 November 2013.

Coroner Peter Dean recorded a narrative verdict that Ms Kent died from accidental injuries.

He added that cardiac disease may have contributed to a fall.

The actress, who appeared in 45 films and starred alongside Marilyn Monroe, Michael Redgrave and Laurence Olivier during her career, died at the West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds.

Her death sparked a police investigation but officers established there was no evidence of any wrongdoing.

In a statement, paramedic Kevin Breitsprecher said he found Ms Kent incoherent and she seemed to have been on the floor for some time.

Her condition in hospital deteriorated and she died from chest injuries on 30 November.

Det Supt Ann Naylor said Ms Kent had not relied on a carer but had a good network of friends and neighbours for support.

She wore an emergency neck cord as she was considered a fall risk.

"There were no signs of a disturbance and no suspicious circumstances."

Notes from Ms Kent's GP said she was in generally good health but in recent years had developed mobility and cardiac problems.

She had lived alone since the death of her husband, Austrian actor Josef Ramart, in 1989.