CNN –
A report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner on Thursday said that Lisa Marie Presley’s death in January was caused by “complications of a small bowel obstruction.”
A small bowel obstruction is a blockage in the small intestine, often due to scar tissue, a hernia, or cancer. Without surgery, the intestinal tissue can die or perforate, resulting in death.
Presley’s autopsy report, obtained by CNN later Thursday, contained the official opinion of Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Juan M. Carrillo, who attributed her small bowel obstruction to “adhesion (or scar tissue)” that developed after bariatric surgery years earlier. This is a known long-term complication of this type of surgery.”
Carrillo also stated that he reviewed the autopsy toxicology results, which showed “therapeutic” levels of oxycodone in Presley’s blood — that is, within the medically reasonable and non-hazardous range. He added that quetapine metabolite (used to treat depression, schizophrenia, or manic episodes) and buprenorphine (a pain reliever that can also be used to treat opioid addiction) are present but “do not contribute to death.”
“There is no evidence of injury or foul play. The manner of death is considered natural,” Carrillo concluded.
dr Michael Camilleri, a consultant and professor in the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic, told CNN on Thursday that the drugs found in Presley’s disease may have “slowed down the motility of the gut and increased the likelihood of it” causing it “blocked by the adhesions”.
“Unfortunately, adhesions can happen to anyone,” he added. “And just because those other drugs were on board doesn’t necessarily mean the person was more prone to developing complications.”
Lisa Marie, the only daughter of the late Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, died hours after being admitted to the hospital following an apparent cardiac arrest on January 12. The report, obtained on Thursday, also said that on the morning of her death she was complaining of abdominal pain.
dr Folasade P. May, associate professor of medicine at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and director of the Melvin and Bren Simon Gastroenterology Quality Improvement Program, told CNN Thursday she suspects Presley “went into cardiac arrest because she went into cardiac arrest.” suffered a serious complication from the obstruction of the small intestine.” None of the doctors interviewed by CNN for this report were directly involved in the case in question.
Lisa Marie Presley was 54 years old at the time of her death.
The video shows Lisa Marie Presley on the red carpet at the Golden Globes
LA County Fire Department spokeswoman Kaitlyn Aldana told CNN at the time that emergency responders were dispatched to the 5000 block of Normandy Dr in Agoura Hills, California at 10:37 a.m. local time for cardiac arrest. Aldana declined to confirm the patient’s name, who could not be identified for privacy reasons, but said the patient was taken to a local hospital at 11:17 a.m.
A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s spokesman told CNN they assisted firefighters with an 911 medical call that morning but did not confirm the patient’s name.
“Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie,” Priscilla Presley said in a statement provided to CNN by a representative at the time. “They are deeply grateful for everyone’s support, love and prayers and ask for privacy at this very difficult time.”
Lisa Marie Presley’s last public appearance days before her death was at the Golden Globe Awards, which she attended with her mother to support the Baz Luhrmann film Elvis about her late father.