Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of the late Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, passed away on January 12, 2023, at the age of 54. Her death shocked and saddened her fans and family, who remembered her as a talented singer, songwriter, and actress. But what was the cause of her death, and how did it relate to a weight-loss surgery she had undergone years ago? Here is what we know so far.
A Small Bowel Obstruction
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Lisa Marie Presley died of 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 blockage was caused by “adhesions (or, scar tissue) that developed after bariatric surgery years ago” . Bariatric surgery is a type of weight-loss surgery that reduces the size of the stomach or bypasses part of the small intestine. It can help people lose weight and improve their health, but it also has some risks and complications, such as adhesions.
Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between organs or tissues after surgery or inflammation. They can cause organs or tissues to stick together, creating obstructions or twisting. Adhesions are a common complication of bariatric surgery, affecting up to 15% of patients. They can occur at any time after the surgery, even years later.
A Cardiac Arrest
On the morning of her death, Presley was complaining of abdominal pain . She was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead after suffering a cardiac arrest. A cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of heart function, which stops the blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. It can be caused by many factors, such as heart disease, trauma, or drug overdose.
In Presley’s case, the cardiac arrest was caused by the small bowel obstruction, according to the medical examiner. The obstruction may have caused a lack of blood supply to the bowel, leading to tissue death or perforation. This could have triggered a severe infection, inflammation, or bleeding, which could have affected the heart function and caused a cardiac arrest.
The autopsy report also revealed that Presley had some medications in her system, such as oxycodone, quetapine, and buprenorphine . However, the medical examiner stated that these drugs were not contributory to her death, and that they were at therapeutic levels, meaning that they were in the range of medically helpful, and not dangerous. The report also ruled out any evidence of injury or foul play, and deemed the manner of death as natural.
A Tragic Loss
Lisa Marie Presley was the only child of Elvis Presley, the legendary rock ‘n’ roll icon who died in 1977. She inherited his musical talent and his estate, and became a successful singer and songwriter in her own right. She released four albums, including the critically acclaimed Storm & Grace in 2012. She also appeared in several films and TV shows, such as The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.
Presley was married four times, to musician Danny Keough, pop star Michael Jackson, actor Nicolas Cage, and guitarist Michael Lockwood. She had four children, two from her first marriage, and two from her last. She was also a philanthropist and a Scientologist, and was involved in various causes and charities.
Presley’s death was mourned by her family, friends, and fans, who paid tribute to her legacy and her spirit. Her mother, Priscilla Presley, said in a statement: “Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie. She was the light of our lives and we will always love her” 3.
Presley’s death also raised awareness about the potential complications of bariatric surgery, and the importance of regular follow-up and monitoring. According to Dr. Folasade P. May, an associate professor of medicine at UCLA, “Unfortunately, adhesions can happen to anybody. And just because there were these other medications on board doesn’t necessarily mean that the person was more prone to develop the complications” .
Lisa Marie Presley’s cause of death was a rare and unfortunate outcome of a weight-loss surgery that she had hoped would improve her health and well-being. Her death reminds us of the fragility of life, and the need to cherish every moment we have with our loved ones.
