Devastated family of beauty queen who died at Michael Owen's stables say she 'fainted before falling from a horse'

30 March 2023, 19:02

Jessica Whalley, who worked at Michael Owen's stables, died unexpectedly on Tuesday at the age of 25
Jessica Whalley, who worked at Michael Owen's stables, died unexpectedly on Tuesday at the age of 25. Picture: Social media
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

A beauty queen who died unexpectedly at Michael Owen's stables on Tuesday "fainted before falling from her horse", her family has said.

Jessica Whalley died after collapsing at Manor House Stables in Cheshire, where she worked as a transport manager.

Emergency services attended at around 7.30am, but Ms Whalley, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Owen and his staff at the Manor House stables near Malpas in Cheshire were left in tears by her sudden death, which is not being treated as suspicious by police.

Ms Whalley's family has since claimed that she "fainted before she fell" from a horse, saying her death was a "terrible shock".

Jessica Whalley riding a horse
Jessica Whalley riding a horse. Picture: Social media

Ms Whalley's friend Allison Samuel previously said she died after falling from her horse, but sources at Manor House stables have denied this claim, saying it is "premature", the Mail reported.

Meanwhile, the Health and Safety Executive has confirmed it will not investigate Ms Whalley's death as it is not believed to be "work-related".

Ms Samuel, who used to work with Miss Whalley at another stables in Suffolk, told The Sun: "I just couldn't believe it - we loved her dearly.

Read More: Heart-rending final photo of beauty queen, 25, who collapsed and died while working at Michael Owen's stables

Read More: Woman, 25, dies at Michael Owen's plush Cheshire stables while working a shift

"She was such a lovely girl who really enjoyed her job. She was popular - everyone liked her and she was a lovely young woman.

"This is so unexpected, she was so fit and healthy.' nd beautiful too - she could have been a model.

"It's such a tragedy – it would have been her 26th birthday this Saturday. We have been told that it was a very sudden and [she] fell from her horse - so it has come as a terrible shock."

One of the last photos taken of Jessica Whalley
One of the last photos taken of Jessica Whalley. Picture: Social media

Meanwhile, one of her friends, Jessica Mair, posted on Facebook: "So sad seeing him [Michael Owen] and all his staff in tears today after such a shock to them.

"Such a young age, no health problems 25 is no age... life really is too short for we never really know how long we have... thoughts go out to her family and friends."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Greenpeace activists scaled a building outside the Foreign Office

Greenpeace activists scale Foreign Office building over signing of ocean treaty

Spain celebrates winning the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia

UK poised to host 2035 Women’s World Cup

Lucy Letby

Lawyer for killer nurse Lucy Letby to hand over 'fresh' evidence he hopes will clear her name

World leaders react to US tariffs

'This is not the act of a friend': World leaders react to Trump's 'unwarranted' tariffs

The millionaire businesswoman has called for an urgent safety review by TfL after the emergency Help Point failed in a central London station.

Millionaire businesswoman abandoned on Tube platform by staff after 'traumatising' assault

British couple

British couple found dead in New Zealand named - as police probe possible murder-suicide

Virginia Giuffre said she had been left with 'four days to life' after the crash

Bus driver breaks silence on Virginia Giuffre crash that left her 'with four days to live'

Police at the Biffa recycling plant in Hartlepool

Human remains found at recycling plant in Hartlepool as probe launched

Foreign Secretary David Lammy

David Lammy to urge Nato allies to increase defence spending in bid to make alliance 'stronger, fairer and more lethal'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

EU threatens further countermeasures against US tariffs after 'major blow to world economy'

Police have urged parents to report their children to anti-terror programme Prevent if they are watching harmful content online

'Report your children to Prevent if they're watching misogynist videos online', police urge parents

Donald Trump signs an executive order imposing tariffs on imported goods

'Liberation Day' explained: What are Trump's tariffs and how will they impact the UK?

The blurry thieves stole £3,000 worth of cigarettes and vapes.

Police release CCTV after thieves steal £3,000 of vapes - but images leave the public calling for 'the ghostbusters'

Julie Goodyear

Julie Goodyear's husband shares rare photo of Coronation Street star two years on from dementia diagnosis

: An aerial view shows the scorched graveyard around a church following a large blaze the previous day, on July 20, 2022 in Wennington, Greater London

Londoners urged not to have barbecues this weekend amid soaring temperatures 'because of wildfire risk'

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' as Apprentice star teases potential US Presidential meeting

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' and warns that the president 'hasn't thought it through'