Actress Ms Bassett said her nephew and his wife 'were full of plans for the future', 'full of anticipation for their first Christmas in their new house'.
Known for her role in Call the Midwife, Linda has also appeared in series such as Heartbeat in 1992, Midsomer Murders in 1997, Dinner Ladies in 1998 and Lark Rise to Candleford 2008.
Linda made her screen debut in 1987 when she played the character, Gertrude Stein, in American Playhouse and Janet Swanton in Paris by Night 1988.