Cilla Black's harrowing autopsy – fatal fall, heatstroke and not found for hours

Cilla Black was not only a shining star of the stage and screen, she was a national treasure.

Born in Liverpool on May 27 1943, the legend started out as a singer in 1963 before going on to enjoy an incredible career of over 50 years in showbiz – where she received an OBE in 1997 for her services to entertainment.

In the later years of her career, she became a famous TV presenter, hosting hit shows like Blind Date, Surprise Surprise and The Moment of Truth.

After securing multiple number one singles during her career, she also cemented her status as a beloved TV personality amid appearances on ITV’s Loose Women.

However, sadly the British entertainer passed away on 1 August 2015 at the age of 72.

To mark five years since the showbiz icon’s tragic passing, the Daily Star have looked into how she died, and the grim circumstances surrounding her passing as seen in the autopsy report.

Cilla Black passed away on August 1 2015 at the age of 72 – after being found dead by her eldest son Robert on the terrace of her luxury Spanish holiday home in the Costa del Sol, Spain.

A sobering autopsy report confirmed that her cause of death had been a subarachnoid haemorrhage – a form of stroke caused by bleeding on the brain.

The stroke most likely resulted from a violent fall she had suffered on the terrace of her holiday home in Estopena, in which she fell after losing balance and was knocked unconscious.

The bleeding on the brain was believed to have been caused by a fatal head injury brought on by her fall when she fell backwards and hit her terrace wall, according to the Daily Mail.

However, the investigation also revealed that the singer spent up to five and a half hours lying alone and unconscious in the Spanish heat before she was discovered.

This means that heatstroke is likely to have contributed to her death – following hours of her lying in the heat which was believed to have been up to 31C.

The bleak 10-page autopsy report added that Black had fallen between 12:30pm and 2:30pm and wasn’t discovered by her son Bobby until around 5:30pm.

Sadly, paramedics could do nothing to save her by the time they arrived at 6:10pm.

It also emerged that the TV star had grown ‘increasingly frail’ prior to the accident and had suffered another fall at a friend’s house just days before her death.

An official statement from Black’s family at the time read: “It has just been confirmed by the judge and coroner in Spain the autopsy was conclusive – Cilla Black died of natural causes.”

“Cilla was sunbathing on her private terrace at her villa in Estepona, got up, lost her balance and fell hitting her head, which knocked her unconscious, and she subsequently died of a stroke. She would not have suffered.

“The family have now been given permission to return her body home as soon as possible for her funeral, details of which have not been released at this time.”

She had previously suffered from hearing issues, failing eyesight and rheumatoid arthritis, and had been in “considerable agony” towards the end of her life.

Cilla’s mum had suffered from progressive osteoporosis and despite living until 84, her final years were tough – and singer Cilla admitted: “My biggest fear is going like that when I can’t control my body.”

Cilla’s funeral was held on 20 August 2015 at St Mary’s Church in Woolton, and the ceremony was host to her family and friends – including stars like Sir Tom Jones, Sir Cliff Richard and Carol Vorderman.

The mum had shared four children with her husband Bobby Willis – including three songs called Robert, Ben and Jack – and a daughter called Ellen who sadly passed way shortly after birth.

Cilla was married to her husband Robert Willis for over 30 years, after the two tied the knot on January 25 1969 in London.

Her three sons added some heartfelt words in their official statement following her death, which read: “We are devastated by the sad loss of our mother, but have been deeply touched by all the kind messages of support from her friends, fans, the public and media.

“We would like to thank everyone, especially the people of Liverpool. The tributes and condolences have really helped us through these difficult times.”

“The Spanish authorities have now told us we are able to bring Mum home, which we hope to do as quickly as possible. We would also like to thank all those involved for their assistance with this matter. We respectfully request for our continued privacy to grieve.”

Sir Cliff penned his own farewell where he paid tribute to her ‘honesty and gritty’ personality, writing: “Cill, I love you.”

The superstar pair had met back in the 1960s on Cilla’s variety show, where they even sang a duet together called Passing Strangers.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk