This morning, dental expert Dr Uchenna Okoye died of a brain haemorrhage, with her family saying they were heartbroken ‘her beautiful, full life was cut so short’.
The 53-year-old mother, who also starred in Channel 5’s makeover show 10 Years Younger in 10 Days, collapsed at her west London home on September 15.
She died hours later, much to the shock of her close friends and family.
A coroner’s report, obtained by MailOnline, has revealed that the cause of death of Dr. Uchenna was a ‘subarachnoid haemorrhage’, caused by a ruptured blood vessel – known as an aneurysm – that caused bleeding in the space between the brain and the tissues surrounding it. .
This fatal condition occurs when there is bleeding into the space between the brain and the thin tissues surrounding the brain, known as the subarachnoid space.
This morning, dental expert Dr Uchenna Okoye died aged 53 from a brain haemorrhage after collapsing at her London home
Dr Uchenna’s family posted a heartbreaking statement on her Instagram announcing her passing
Tragically, aneurysms can occur at any time, even if the victims are fit and healthy, like Dr Uchenna, who has a seven-year-old daughter.
Her grieving family says they are “devastated that her beautiful, full life was cut so short” and that their “priority at this time is to care for her young daughter.”
A family spokesperson said: “Dr Uchenna’s sudden death was due to natural causes. We are devastated and our hearts are broken that her beautiful, full life was cut so short.
“As a family, our priority now is to care for her young daughter, carry on her legacy and keep her memory alive. A private celebration of her life will take place in the coming weeks.”
Her ex-husband and father of her daughter, fellow doctor Chidi Ngwaba, rushed home from speaking at a Hope For Africa event in Kenya when she heard of her death.
The former couple divorced last year, but have been separated for some time.
Her personal assistant and confidante of more than 20 years, Mars Webb, told MailOnline last week that her loved ones were still coming to terms with her shocking death and were waiting for a coroner’s report to confirm the exact reasons why she had died .
Ms Webb revealed that Dr. Uchenna, who was also a regular on Channel 5’s 10 Years Younger in 10 Days and BBC Breakfast, was enjoying a normal ‘busy week’ in the days leading up to her death.
This included a trip to the theater to see the West End musical Moulin Rouge, a lunch meeting with clients to promote her new dental product Mysmile and an industry event, and at no time did she express any concern about her health.
Mrs Webb told MailOnline: ‘There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. She was a happy, healthy and busy person, with no apparent health problems.
‘Her death has been a total shock to everyone; it came completely out of the blue.
“It is a devastating loss for her family, friends and so many who loved her dearly.”
The Cosmetic Dentist has appeared numerous times on television and radio, providing viewers with specialist advice. She is pictured here on This Morning in 2015
Dr. Uchenna had had a normal ‘busy week’ in the days leading up to her death. This included a theater trip to see the West End musical Moulin Rouge, and a lunch meeting with clients
Mrs Webb confirmed that Dr’s ‘large, loving family’ Uchenna will ensure that her daughter is cared for and gets the love she needs after her death.
She added: “Urchenna was my boss, my mentor, my best buddy for 20 years and honestly you have no idea how incredible she was and how much more she had to do, achieve and wanted to do.” It’s just so unfair she was taken from us.
‘Alongside her TV work, Dr Uchenna was known for supporting women in business, building trust and championing diversity and inclusion.
She shared her passion and knowledge to help other women improve themselves, and was recognized for changing the face of dentistry by entering the oral care market by launching her own Mysmile product range.
The news of Dr Uchenna’s death last Friday, which was announced on her official Instagram page on Monday, led to an outpouring of support from friends and former colleagues.
Holly Willoughby, who worked with Dr Uchenna on This Morning, told her followers: ‘Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of @druchennaokoye. We first worked with @oralb_uk many moons ago and she was very kind to me… and then again of course, she gave her advice on @thismorning. Sending all my love to her family.”
BBC radio presenter Jo Whiley wrote: ‘Devastating news. Sending love to her daughter, family and the London Smiling team. Strong, beautiful, funny Uchenna. Horrible. Just terrible.’
The British Beauty Council tweeted: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Uchenna Okoye, a valued colleague and member of the Advisory Board. She was a brilliant and passionate person who had a major impact on the industry.”
Dr. A graduate of the prestigious Guy’s Hospital in London, Uchenna ran two dental practices and owned a line of specialist dental products.
She was one of a small group of dentists who belonged to both the British and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
As well as managing the London Smiling Dental Group, she regularly appeared on television and radio to provide expert advice. She was also the official dentist on Channel 5’s makeover program 10 Years Younger.
The Channel 5 show’s presenter Cherry Healey also paid tribute to Dr. Uchenna.
‘There aren’t really the right words to say how much this absolute power of a human being will be missed and how sad this news is.
‘I was fortunate to have worked with Dr Uchenna on @10yearsyounger for many happy years, and subsequently came to know her as a beautiful friend.
‘She spoke with such passion and love for the people she helped laugh again – and she was the warmest, smartest and nicest woman you could wish for.’