The tragic circumstances surrounding Leslie Charleson's demise have been unveiled. On February 12th, Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner officially determined that the longest-serving cast member of "General Hospital" succumbed to "sequelae of blunt head trauma," a medical condition stemming from a prior head injury, as per online records accessed by PEOPLE magazine.
These records further revealed that the actress, renowned for her portrayal of Monica Quartermaine in the iconic soap opera, also battled asthma, arthritis, atrial fibrillation, and normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain disorder characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, as defined by the Alzheimer’s Association.
TMZ, which secured a copy of Charleson's death certificate, was the first outlet to break the news.
Charleson's passing came exactly one month after her demise on January 12th, at the age of 79. At the time, Frank Valentini, the executive producer of "General Hospital," announced her death on the show's official Instagram page. "With a heavy heart, I must share the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson," he posted. "Her enduring legacy stretches nearly 50 years within 'General Hospital' alone, and just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a cherished matriarch to the entire cast and crew."
He continued, "I will deeply miss our daily conversations, her sharp wit, and her incredible presence on set. On behalf of everyone at 'General Hospital,' my heartfelt condolences go out to her loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."
Charleson joined "General Hospital" in 1977 amidst sagging ratings, stepping into the shoes of Patsy Rahn, who had introduced Monica Bard Webber (later Monica Quartermaine) a year prior. Monica, a doctor embodying the bad-girl archetype, became a character Charleson cherished. "She's fascinating, dedicated in all facets of life," Charleson told Soap Opera Digest in 1981. "Her dedication in her social life may seem excessive, but it's genuine. When she loves, she does so passionately, often at others' expense."
At that time, the actress was pleased with her character's evolution. "I'm thrilled with her progress, her sense of humor," she said. "As an actress, I relish Monica because she can wear many hats, go anywhere, and do anything." Speaking of her character's reputation, she added, "Goodness alone is boring. And no one is purely 'good,' unless they're a saint."
Monica's most memorable relationship on the show was with fellow physician Alan Quartermaine, portrayed by the late Stuart Damon. The Quartermaine family joined the show the same year as Charleson, solidifying Monica's ties to the series.
From 2010 onward, Charleson appeared in "General Hospital" in a recurring capacity, making less frequent appearances in her final years. Reflecting on her tenure, she told Soap Opera Digest in 2001, "I genuinely adore this job. Consider it this way – what better gig could you have than waking up, rolling out of bed, throwing something on, and having someone take care of your appearance, wardrobe, and dialogue? How much more grateful could you be? Not bad at all, not bad at all."
