Prince William and Harry’s cousin, Rosie Roche, was found dead at her family home a week ago, according to reports that started circulating Monday. She was just 20 years old.
An obituary penned by her family read: “Roche Rosie Jeanne Burke – Died on Monday 14th July 2025. Darling daughter of Hugh and Pippa, incredible sister to Archie and Agatha, Granddaughter to Derek and Rae Long.”
A firearm found near Rosie Roche after her death
A firearm is said to have been found close to Roche’s body at the family property in Norton, England. The 20-year-old’s mother and sister discovered her on the fateful day. Having been an English literature student at Durham University, the Rosie was packing to set out on a trip with her friends.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Wiltshire and Swindon coroner’s court launched an investigation into her death. Meanwhile, local coroner Grant Davies has since told the police that her death appeared “non-suspicious,” citing no third-party involvement.
Born on June 21, 2005, Roche was Prince William and Prince Harry‘s second cousin as she was the granddaughter of Princess Diana’s uncle, Edmund Roche.
Her obituary published by the Yorkshire Post on Sunday (US time) detailed that a private family funeral and a memorial service will be held sometime later. A date has yet to be announced.
Royal family deaths ruled suicides before
The English literature student belonged to a business family. According to The Peerage website, Rosie Roche’s siblings were Archie Edmund and Agatha Frances.
Last year, Thomas Kingston, the ex-boyfriend of Kate Middleton’s younger sister, Pippa, was found dead with a “catastrophic head injury.” Having died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, he found at his parents’ home in a Cotswolds village in England on February 25, 2024. Much like Rosie’s case, a gun was discovered close to his body at the time as well.
The royal family‘s gun death history extends far back to 1984, when Rosie’s grandfather, Edmund James Burke Roche, the 5th Baron Fermoy, died from suicide at his home in Hungerford after battling prolonged depression.