HEARTBREAKING tᩚraɢedy: LOOSE WOMEN STAR LISA MAXWELL’S ONLY DAUGHTER BEAU JESSUP diᩚєs SUDDENLY AT 27 — YOUNG JOURNALISM STUDENT’S dєatᩚh LEAVES FAMILY AND UNIVERSITY IN MOURNING

NEW YORK / LONDON — November 13, 2026

British actress and former Loose Women panellist Lisa Maxwell is facing an unimaginable family tᩚraɢedy following the sudden dєatᩚh of her only daughter, Beau Jessup, at the age of just 27.

Beau, the daughter of Lisa and her long-time partner Paul Jessup, was studying for a master’s degree at Columbia Journalism School in New York City when she died.

The university confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement released on November 9, expressing its condolences to Beau’s family, friends and fellow students.

“Columbia Journalism School mourns the loss of Beau Jessup, a student in our M.S. program,” the statement read.

“We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, classmates and all who knew and loved her.”

The university added that it was working with Beau’s family to provide support and assistance during this difficult time.

NO CAUSE OF dєatᩚh HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED

As news of Beau’s dєatᩚh emerged, many questions remained unanswered.

Neither the university nor the family has publicly disclosed the circumstances surrounding her passing, and no cause of dєatᩚh has been confirmed.

The news has prompted an outpouring of sympathy for Lisa and her family, although the actress has not publicly shared further details about the loss.

A BRIGHT FUTURE CUT SHORT

Beau had been pursuing an ambitious academic path and was expected to graduate from Columbia in May 2027.

Before moving to New York, she studied social anthropology at the London School of Economics and later completed studies in writing for performance at the University of Cambridge.

She was passionate about journalism, storytelling and exploring the experiences of ordinary people.

In an interview with Columbia published shortly before her dєatᩚh, Beau spoke about how growing up as the daughter of a television actress had shaped her understanding of the media.

She explained that she had become interested in the way people’s lives could be represented — or sometimes distorted — through public narratives.

“I want to work as a journalist and writer, reporting on people, culture, and social questions,” she said, describing her hopes for the future.

She also hoped to continue writing for theatre alongside her journalism career.

A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR WITH A CREATIVE MIND

Beau had already made a name for herself as a young entrepreneur.

As a teenager, she founded SpecialName, a website designed to help Chinese parents choose English names for their children.

The idea grew out of her experiences in China and her recognition that many parents wanted names that could be easily understood and used internationally.

Her project attracted considerable attention and brought her opportunities to speak publicly about entrepreneurship, culture and identity.

She later continued exploring creative work through writing and theatre, demonstrating interests that extended well beyond her academic studies.

LISA MAXWELL’S ONLY CHILD

Lisa Maxwell, 62, is best known to television audiences for playing Detective Sergeant Samantha Nixon in the long-running British police drama The Bill.

She also appeared as a panellist on ITV’s daytime programme Loose Women.

Lisa has previously spoken warmly about her relationship with Beau and her pride in her daughter’s achievements.

In September 2026, Lisa celebrated Beau’s place among Columbia University’s Class of 2027, sharing a photograph and congratulating her daughter as she continued her studies in New York.

Now, that promising future has been overshadowed by a devastating loss.

COLUMBIA PAYS TRIBUTE

Following the announcement, Columbia Journalism School Dean Jelani Cobb also sent a message to students and colleagues, acknowledging how difficult the news would be for the university community.

He described Beau as a cherished member of the school and extended his deepest condolences to those closest to her.

With the family’s permission, the school also shared an interview with Beau as a tribute, allowing her own words and ambitions to be remembered.

For those who knew her, Beau was more than the daughter of a familiar television personality. She was a young woman with her own ideas, ambitions and determination to tell meaningful stories.

At just 27, she had so much more she hoped to accomplish.

Her dєatᩚh has left her family, friends and university community grieving a life and a future cut tragically short.

Our thoughts are with Lisa Maxwell, Paul Jessup and everyone who loved Beau during this incredibly difficult time.