Sudden Loss After Hospital Emergency

Former EastEnders actor Mace Richards, who appeared in the BBC soap in 2019, died of multi-organ failure on June 1, 2025, after being rushed to St Mary’s Hospital in London. He was 62.

An inquest at North London Coroner’s Court heard that Richards, who played Walford Gazette photographer Harry, was admitted at 5:20 a.m. with severe abdominal pain. He had received painkillers during his ambulance journey.

A CT scan was carried out at 5:48 a.m. and sent to surgeons at the Royal Brompton Hospital. However, staff reportedly struggled to access the images, and they were not reviewed until 8 a.m.

By then, doctors determined that Richards’ condition was beyond surgical intervention due to the extent of organ damage. He was advised to contact his family and passed away at 10:13 p.m. that evening.

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Family Raises Concerns

Richards’ relatives attended the inquest via video link. They expressed concern that delays in reviewing his CT scans may have worsened his condition.

One family member questioned whether the early Sunday timing contributed to the delay, saying:

“It sounds like for an urgent case they lost quite a few hours for such a healthy 62-year-old man. He wasn’t in his 80s and had been absolutely fine.”

The family also voiced frustration that they were not contacted sooner about his condition.

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Coroner’s Response

Senior Coroner Andrew Walker extended condolences to the family and stressed that, so far, there was “no suggestion of any evidence” that the delay contributed significantly to Richards’ death.

He confirmed that the cause of death was multi-organ failure following an aortic dissection. Richards was known to be a smoker and suffered from high blood pressure.

Mr. Walker adjourned the hearing until October 8, allowing time for further reports from Imperial College Healthcare Trust and the London Ambulance Service. He said a doctor from the hospital may also attend to answer the family’s questions directly.

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Remembering Mace Richards

Richards’ time on EastEnders was brief, but his appearance left a mark on viewers. Beyond the soap, he was remembered as a dedicated actor based in Epsom, Surrey.

The coroner concluded the session by offering his sympathies:

“Mr Richards was an actor living in Epsom in Surrey. He died on 1 June 2025 at St Mary’s Hospital in London. I offer you once again my deepest sympathies at this time.”

The inquest will continue on October 8.