General Hospital’s Leslie Charleson died from a “sequelae of blunt head trauma,” it has been confirmed.

The actor, who has been part of 2,079 episodes of the long-running soap as Monica Quartermine, died on January 12 aged 79. The week before, she suffered a nasty fall which left her hospitalised. It has now been revealed she passed away due to the long-term effects of an old injury from before.

It isn’t known when exactly she injured herself. However, she suffered a few falls over the years which stopped her from being on the show. Announcing the news of her death, the show’s executive producer Frank Valentini shared a sweet tribute to the star. The tribute read: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson.

“Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew. I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set. On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”

According to TMZ, who obtained her death certificate, the LA County medical examiner said the star was battling normal pressure hydrocephalus – which causes cerebrospinal fluid to build up in the brain. The actress also had asthma, arthritis and atrial fibrillation. She had “several falls” before the one she had a week before she died.

In December 2023, Charleson made her final appearance on the show as Monica. She transitioned to a recurring role in 2010, sparking protests from devoted viewers. Her health issues reportedly started with a fall in 2017 that saw her break her leg, leading to a two-month absence and her temporary replacement by Patty McCormack. Another fall years later required her to be substituted again for one episode.

Amidst ongoing health struggles, it was revealed last October that she likely wouldn’t return to the series. Despite not being seen on-screen, her character remained a topic of conversation, often said to be ‘upstairs’ in the Quartermaine mansion by other characters.

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