The daughter of British actress Lisa Maxwell, known for her role in the television series The Bill, has died at the age of 27.
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Beau Jessup was studying for a master's degree in journalism at Columbia University in New York City at the time of her death.
The Ivy League university confirmed the heartbreaking news in a social media statement but did not disclose her cause of death.
Actor's Daughter Dies at 27 as Columbia University Pays Tribute
In a statement published on November 9, Columbia University's journalism school announced that it was mourning Jessup's death while highlighting her academic achievements and ambitions.
"We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, classmates and all who knew and loved her," the statement reads.
"The J-School is working with Beau's family to offer support and assistance during this difficult time."
The university also encouraged grieving students to access its support services, including counseling, psychological assistance and spiritual resources.
Just a month before her death, Jessup had participated in Columbia News' Notebook series, which profiles students and explores their academic interests.
According to the university, she had developed a particular interest in "cultural journalism, particularly how institutions, identity, and social expectations influence the way we live and understand one another."
Beau Jessup Had Ambitions to Pursue Journalism and Theater
During her interview with Columbia News, Jessup explained that her passion for reporting developed while studying social anthropology and writing for performance at the London School of Economics and the University of Cambridge.
She had been preparing to graduate from Columbia in May 2027.
While living in New York, Jessup embraced the city's theater scene and described herself as "making the most of everything from Broadway to Off-Broadway".
Following graduation, she hoped to pursue a career as a journalist and writer, "reporting on people, culture, and social questions with the rigor I'm learning at Columbia".
"I'm particularly drawn to journalism for its power and immediacy, while continuing to write for theater when a subject benefits from being explored through a different form," she said.
Jessup also had a passion for playwriting and wrote her first play, The Sandbag, while studying at Cambridge.
Her mother, Lisa Maxwell, has enjoyed a lengthy television career, including her portrayal of Samantha Nixon in the British police drama The Bill.
Maxwell and her husband, Paul, have been together since 1997 and married in July 2014.
Neither had publicly commented on their daughter's death at the time of reporting.
