NYC Medical Examiner Has Not Determined Cause of Death of Beau Rose Jessup
New York City's medical examiner has not determined how Beau Rose Jessup, the 27-year-old daughter of British actress Lisa Maxwell, died. The Columbia Journalism School student's death was announced November 9. People familiar with the case told reporters it was not suspicious.
New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause or manner of death of Beau Rose Jessup, the 27-year-old daughter of British actress Lisa Maxwell, who died in New York earlier this month.
"We are investigating. The cause and manner of death are pending further study," the office said in an email.
People familiar with the matter have said Jessup's death was "not suspicious" and involved "no criminality." The New York Police Department has not publicly responded to a request for comment.
Columbia Journalism School announced her death on Monday, November 9. Jessup was a student in its master of science program.
"Columbia Journalism School mourns the loss of Beau Jessup, a student in our M.S. program," the university said in a statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, classmates and all who knew and loved her."
The school said it was working with her family to offer support and assistance. It did not disclose a cause of death.
A tribute in her own words
On Wednesday, Columbia published an interview with Jessup conducted the previous month, with her family's permission. She spoke about her interest in cultural journalism and how growing up as an actress's daughter shaped her view of the media.
She said she had become fascinated by "who gets to tell people's stories, and what happens when those stories enter the public domain."
Jessup also described an "unusual awareness of the distance between people's lives and the stories told about them." She said she saw how journalism could illuminate someone's experiences, but also how they could be distorted or simplified.
Her studies and work
Jessup was due to graduate in May 2027. She had previously studied social anthropology at the London School of Economics and writing for performance at the University of Cambridge.
She founded SpecialName, a website that helps Chinese parents choose English names for their children. She hoped to pursue journalism and writing after Columbia.
Her family
Maxwell, 62, is best known for playing Detective Inspector Samantha Nixon in the British police drama The Bill from 2002 to 2009. She was a regular panelist on the chat show Loose Women from 2009 to 2014.
Jessup's parents, Maxwell and Paul Jessup, 58, married in July 2014. They have not spoken publicly about their daughter's death.
