A weight-loss surgery killed Elvis Presley's daughter
Lisa Marie died of complications resulting from a small bowel obstruction. Photo: Getty Images
Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of the legendary singer and actor Elvis Presley, passed away on January 12, 2023. A recent autopsy report has unveiled the cause of death for the 54-year-old singer. According to the coroner's report, Lisa Presley died due to a small bowel obstruction, a complication stemming from her bariatric surgery conducted years ago.
As per the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office, the American singer-songwriter's demise in January was a result of "sequelae of a small bowel obstruction" that arose subsequent to her bariatric surgery performed several years ago.
Understanding small bowel obstruction
Small bowel obstruction refers to a partial or complete blockage of the small intestine, a crucial part of the digestive system. It can be caused by various factors, including adhesions, hernias, and inflammatory bowel disorders, as explained by the Cleveland Clinic.
In this condition, the movement of food is hindered or impeded within the digestive tract.
What is bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a form of weight-loss surgery that involves modifications to the digestive system to facilitate weight reduction.
This surgical procedure is typically recommended when conventional methods such as diet and exercise have proven ineffective or when severe health issues are associated with excess weight.
The surgery may involve limiting food intake, reducing the body's capacity to absorb nutrients, or both.
Lisa Presley's death
The autopsy report, released on Thursday, July 13, revealed the cause of Lisa Presley's death. Prior to her demise, she had been experiencing severe abdominal pain and illness. Later that day, her ex-husband, reportedly Danny Keough, discovered her unresponsive at her Calabasas home in California. Paramedics rushed her to the hospital, where she experienced a cardiac arrest and passed away on January 12, 2023.
The report also noted that while Lisa Presley had a history of past drug use, she had been sober "for the past few years." Juan M. Carrillo, a deputy medical examiner in Los Angeles County, described Presley's health problems after her bariatric surgery as a "known long-term complication of this type of surgery."
Lisa Marie was laid to rest in the Meditation Garden at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, alongside her late son, Benjamin Keough. This serene location also serves as the final resting place for Lisa Marie's father, Elvis Presley, as well as his parents, Vernon and Gladys.
In the months leading up to her death, Lisa Marie underwent a cosmetic surgery and was prescribed opioids. The autopsy report revealed a history of "overmedicating," with instances of forgetting to take medications and subsequently doubling the dosage. It also mentioned that she had experienced abdominal pain, vomiting, fevers, and nausea a month before her passing but did not seek medical attention.
Two days before her death, Lisa Presley had attended The 2023 Golden Globes.
Following her death, legal matters concerning her estate sparked considerable controversy within the Presley household, which has recently been resolved.
Lisa Marie's mother, Priscilla Presley, who had long been involved in administering Elvis's estate, took the matter to court to challenge the validity of documents stating that Lisa Marie's daughter, Riley Keough, had become the sole trustee after Lisa Marie's demise. According to court documents in June, actress Riley Keough agreed to provide Priscilla Presley with a lump-sum payment as part of a settlement, bringing an end to the legal disputes over control of the family trust. The terms of their agreement have not been disclosed.