Back in 2008, I was on a HKG-LAX flight (UA) and a passenger died. We diverted to HNL (yes, winds were in our favor that day which gave us a more southerly route; much rather divert to HNL than ANC or some boring city in Canada ).

The point where we made our diversion was still 1,200 miles from HNL (about 2.5 hours flying time), and the poor woman had already transitioned but we proceeded to HNL regardless.

Only a few weeks earlier, there was a death on an AA flight (I believe), and somebody for some reason was trying to sue because they felt AA was negligent due to not getting the aircraft down as fast as possible despite the passenger being dead.

I'm pretty certain the lawyers forced the stop at IAH, not the doctors.

What a shame to be so young. RIP.