Socialite died from perforated ulcer
TARA PALMER-TOMKINSON died from a perforated ulcer, it has been revealed as her family insist she was in “high spirits” and had not retreated to a “dark place”.
The 45-year-old socialite was found at her west London home last week by a cleaner who was so distraught she activated a panic alarm to raise the emergency services.
Last night her family said she died peacefully in her sleep from a perforated ulcer and peritonitis and “did not have a brain tumour”.
Her sister, Santa Montefiore, said: “Tara’s good friends and family know that she was in high spirits in her last days. She had plans, trips and had written a moving new song.”
The family are due to hold a private funeral for her on Feb 27.
In a statement they added: “It has been a source of great comfort to know how loved she was by so many people.
“Those that knew and were close to Tara knew that there was no retreat to a “dark place” as some have disappointingly sought to suggest. In the last few weeks Tara was happy, positive and making plans for when she recovered her health.
“As usual she had been busy with the friends and family she loved, and who loved her in return. She was in communication with her family and others of whom she was fond over her final weekend and had spent a lot of her time recording music.
“We will miss Tara very much and will never forget the joy, love and humour she brought to our lives.”
Last year, the former reality television star revealed her fear of dying after being diagnosed with a non-malignant brain tumour.
After finding out about the growth in her pituitary gland, she later spoke about also suffering with an autoimmune disease that caused tiredness, joint pain and acute anaemia.
However, Ms Montefiore yesterday tweeted that she wanted to “clarify a couple of points”.
“The coroner’s report states that Tara died of natural causes – a perforated ulcer. She did not have a brain tumour”, she wrote.
Following the news of her death, her close friends the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were among the first to pay tribute, saying they were “deeply saddened”.