The heartbroken parents of a British aristocrat who plunged to his death from a Los Angeles hotel have paid tribute to their “courageous” daughter who “took advantage of every opportunity in life without fear”.
In a moving statement to mother-of-two Isabelle Thomas, 39, they described her as ‘the light of our lives’.
The wife of an Oscar-nominated Hollywood producer is said to have taken her own life on Monday evening after falling from a high balcony of the Hotel Angeleno in Los Angeles.
Her mother Penelope Lawrence and father Sir Henry Lawrence, the 7th Baronet of Lucknow, said: ‘We remember her as a soulmate, beautiful daughter, sister, devoted mother and wife.’
Divorced Mrs Lawrence, Sir Henry’s first wife, from Bath in Somerset, told how she flew to America after the tragedy which had ‘overwhelmed’ the family, saying: ‘It’s the worst possible nightmare.’
Isabelle was described as ‘adored, bright and charming’. She is survived by her two young daughters
The aristocrat’s suicide was described as a “horrific loss” by relatives, but said her husband is supported by his mother and friends.
Isabelle Thomas pictured with her film producer husband Bradley at a BAFTA party in Beverly Hills three weeks ago
Isabelle Thomas, 39, pictured with husband Bradley, 58, fell from a high balcony of the Hotel Angeleno in Los Angeles on Monday evening. Her death is being treated as a suicide
In tribute, she said: “Isabelle was the light of our lives. She was courageous and took on all opportunities in life without fear, radiating love and kindness to her friends, family and children along the way.
‘Endlessly inventive and creative, she obtained her degree in Biological Sciences from Oxford and applied this to communicating positivity in the world.
“Her projects were as diverse as her passions and reflected a curiosity about people and our culture that inspired all who were fortunate enough to spend time with her.
“We remember her as a soulmate, beautiful daughter, sister, devoted mother and wife.”
Mrs Lawrence added: ‘Our family is overwhelmed by her sudden death this week and we are infinitely grateful to her many friends for their outpouring of love.
‘We ask for privacy to mourn and that donations can be made in lieu of flowers Choose lovea refugee charity that Isabelle passionately supported.”
The mother of two is survived by her husband, Killers of the Flower Moon producer Bradley Thomas, 58, and her two young daughters.
Meanwhile, her sister-in-law Diana O’Donnell described Isabelle as a “forever friend”, “adored, smart and charming”.
She told DailyMail.com that Bradley’s mother and niece had flown to LA to care for him and that she would soon follow, while his four male friends “wake the kids up in the morning and feed them breakfast and read them stories” while he grieves . .
‘It was very easy with her. She just felt like a forever person in my life, a forever friend and a wonderful sister-in-law. We are all very sad and broken. It’s just a terrible loss for all of us,” she said.
Izzy, as she was known to her friends, was the daughter of Sir Henry Lawrence, 7th Baronet of Lucknow and his ex-wife Penelope Nunan.
She met Bradley in LA while working as a documentary filmmaker and married in 2018.
Diana, 59, said she knew what her brother was going through when she lost her husband to suicide 20 years ago.
“It has affected our family more than once,” she said. “We don’t realize how fragile and vulnerable we are. There is no attempt to understand it. It’s just a chemical imbalance, or whatever you want to call it.
“It’s really hard being a single parent. He is extremely lucky because he is very loved and loved by so many.
‘We are very happy with this circle of friends and family around us.
‘I had the luxury of everything being very quiet and not so public. I worry about these little girls who will one day grow up and Google their mother.
“These little girls are going to grow up without their mom and have a lot of questions and a lot of sadness because mom isn’t there to watch them grow and celebrate all the milestones they will have in their lives.”
Her sister-in-law Diana O’Donnell (pictured) described Isabelle as a ‘forever friend’. O’Donnell also previously lost her husband to suicide
The Thomas family have suffered a series of devastating losses, including their father Charlie (pictured), who died in 2022 aged 81 from pancreatic cancer.
Diana was full of praise for her late sister-in-law.
‘We loved Izzy, she was smart. She was charming. She was just always sweet. She never has anything bad to say about anyone,” the Maryland native said.
“Izzy was just happy to have a piece of you, no matter what you gave her. In that respect she was very easy and simple, she never made demands on anyone.’
Bradley’s sister declined to comment on Isabelle’s mental health, saying that “her health situation was private,” but added that “it is clear that someone is mentally struggling to go to the extreme of taking their own life.” ‘
The Thomas family has suffered a succession of devastating losses, following the suicide of Diana’s husband, her and Bradley’s young aunt who was raised with them as a sibling but died of lung cancer in recent years, and their father Charlie who passed away in 2022 died of pancreatic cancer. 81.
Bradley’s older sister is intensely proud of her brother’s achievements, noting on Facebook the Oscar nomination for Best Picture for Killers of the Blood Moon and lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio’s Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Drama.
Bradley also produced hit films There’s Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber.
Diana posted lovingly about her late sister-in-law, sharing Isabelle’s wedding photos in 2018 and a photo of her in March 2021 with her two daughters.
O’Donnell declined to comment on Isabelle’s mental health, saying that “her health situation was private,” but added that “it is clear that someone is mentally struggling to be able to go to the extreme of taking their own life .’
The LA County Medical Examiner’s Office listed the cause of death as suicide, citing multiple traumatic injuries
Isabelle reportedly jumped from a high-floor balcony of LA’s Hotel Angeleno on Monday and left no note, although police have not confirmed these details.
The LA County Medical Examiner’s Office listed the cause of death as suicide, citing multiple traumatic injuries.
The LAPD told DailyMail.com that police responded to the scene about a deceased woman found in the pool.
On Friday, they declined to comment further, saying the matter was being handled by the medical examiner. The medical examiner says they will issue a report when the case is closed.
Isabelle, wife of Killers of the Flower Moon producer Bradley Thomas, was a former technical adviser to ex-Prime Minister David Cameron.
She moved in celebrity circles and once even partied with singer Amy Winehouse.
She fell from the Hotel Angeleno in an apparent suicide and was found dead at the scene by emergency workers.
The Los Angeles coroner’s office listed the cause of death as suicide, with the official cause listed as “multiple traumatic injuries,” consistent with a heavy fall.
Isabelle and Bradley married in 2018 and have two daughters, Poppy and Grace.
The two were last photographed together on January 13 at the 2024 BAFTA Tea Party in Beverly Hills.
During her childhood, Isabelle attended the private King Edward’s School and Prior Park College in Bath.
She graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in neuroscience.