Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla Presley, passed away on January 12, 2023, at the age of 54. She was a singer and songwriter who followed in her father’s footsteps and released three albums over the course of her career. She was also well-known for her four high-profile marriages, to Danny Keough, Michael Jackson, Nicolas Cage and Michael Lockwood.
But what was the cause of Lisa Marie Presley’s death? How did she die so suddenly and unexpectedly? Here is everything you need to know about the tragic circumstances that led to her demise.
Contents
The medical report reveals the cause of death
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Lisa Marie Presley died of natural causes due to a “sequelae of a small bowel obstruction” . A small bowel obstruction is a blockage in the small intestine, often caused by things like scar tissue, a hernia or cancer. Without surgery, it can cause bowel tissue to die or perforate, leading to death.
In Presley’s case, the report found that the obstruction was a result of adhesions (or scar tissue) that developed after bariatric surgery (or weight-loss surgery) that she underwent several years ago. “This is a known long-term complication of this type of surgery,” the report noted .
The report also stated that she had therapeutic levels of oxycodone (a painkiller), quetapine metabolite (used to treat depression, schizophrenia or manic episodes) and buprenorphine (another painkiller that can also be used to treat opioid addiction) in her blood, but they were not contributory to her death .
The symptoms and complications of a small bowel obstruction
A small bowel obstruction can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. It can also lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, infection, sepsis and shock. If left untreated, it can result in bowel ischemia (lack of blood flow), necrosis (tissue death), perforation (hole), peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal cavity) and death .
Dr. Michael Camilleri, a gastroenterologist and professor at the Mayo Clinic, told CNN that the medications found in Presley’s blood may have slowed down the motility of the intestine and made it more likely for it to get obstructed by the adhesions . He also said that adhesions can happen to anyone who has had abdominal surgery and are not necessarily related to weight-loss surgery .
Dr. Folasade P. May, another gastroenterologist and professor at UCLA, told CNN that she suspects Presley developed a cardiac arrest because she had a severe complication from the small bowel obstruction . She said that patients with such a condition usually experience significant pain and would probably be admitted to hospital .
The final days and hours of Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa Marie Presley’s last public appearance was two days before her death, at the Golden Globes awards ceremony in Los Angeles. She looked radiant and happy as she posed for photos with her mother Priscilla and her daughter Riley . She was also seen chatting with celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman .
On the morning of her death, she complained of abdominal pain and was rushed to a hospital in Calabasas, California, where she was pronounced dead . Her family was shocked and devastated by the news and issued a statement expressing their grief .
She was buried next to her son Benjamin Keough, who died by suicide in 2020 at the age of 27 . She had three other children: Riley Keough (32), Finley Lockwood (14) and Harper Lockwood (14) .
Her mother Priscilla filed a legal challenge to her will’s validity, arguing that she was unaware of a 2016 amendment that had ousted her as a trustee overseeing Lisa Marie’s estate. Instead, the amendment named Benjamin and Riley as co-trustees. The legal dispute was settled in May 2023. The details were never made public .
The legacy and impact of Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa Marie Presley was born on February 1, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. She was the only child of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, who divorced when she was five years old. She grew up in Graceland, the famous mansion where her father lived and died. She inherited his estate when she turned 25 and became the sole owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, which manages his music, image and properties .
She was also a talented musician who released her debut album, To Whom It May Concern, in 2003. It reached number five on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold. She followed it with two more albums, Now What in 2005 and Storm and Grace in 2012. She also collaborated with other artists, such as Pat Benatar, Michael Bublé and her father. She recorded a duet with Elvis on his song “Don’t Cry Daddy” in 1997 and another one on his song “In the Ghetto” in 2007 .
She was also a philanthropist who supported various causes, such as literacy, homelessness, AIDS, animal rights and Scientology. She was a spokesperson for the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a group affiliated with Scientology that campaigns against psychiatry. She also donated millions of dollars to charities, such as the Dream Factory, the Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Presley Charitable Foundation .
She was also a loving mother who adored her children and tried to protect them from the media spotlight. She once said: “My kids are everything to me. They’re my life. They’re my world.” She also said that she wanted to be remembered as “a good mom” .
Lisa Marie Presley was a remarkable woman who lived a remarkable life. She was the daughter of a legend, but she also carved her own path as a singer, songwriter, businesswoman and humanitarian. She faced many challenges and tragedies, but she also experienced many joys and successes. She left behind a legacy of music, generosity and love that will live on in the hearts of her family, friends and fans. She was gone too soon, but she will never be forgotten.
