Lisa Marie Presley, the singer-songwriter and daughter of the legendary Elvis Presley, tragically passed away in January due to complications from bariatric surgery, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office. The autopsy report, released on Thursday, revealed that Presley succumbed to a “small bowel obstruction” caused by scar tissue that developed years after the surgery.
On January 12, Presley had complained of severe abdominal pain before being found unresponsive at her home in Calabasas, California, by her ex-husband, who remains unnamed in the report. Paramedics rushed her to the hospital, where she went into cardiac arrest and passed away later that day.
Although the report noted that Presley had a history of drug use, she had been sober for the past few years. However, her health problems seemed to arise following bariatric surgery, a procedure commonly recommended for individuals with a high body mass index who have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. Juan M. Carrillo, a deputy medical examiner in Los Angeles County, stated that Presley’s health issues after the surgery were a known long-term complication.
Presley had been prescribed opioids after the surgery and subsequent infection, and the report mentioned that she was later prescribed another medication to wean her off the opioids. However, it also stated that Presley had a tendency to overmedicate, often forgetting she had already taken her medications and taking them again.
Toxicology results revealed the presence of therapeutic levels of oxycodone in Presley’s blood, along with buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction. However, the report concluded that these substances did not contribute to her death.
The autopsy report indicated that Presley had been experiencing abdominal pain, fevers, vomiting, and nausea for months leading up to her death but had not sought medical attention.
Initially, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office had deferred ruling on Presley’s case, waiting for further test results, including a potentially crucial toxicology report. Two days before her death, Presley had attended the Golden Globe Awards, where a biopic about her father’s life, titled “Elvis,” was nominated for multiple awards. Concerns were raised by fans and onlookers about her appearance and stability during on-camera interviews on the red carpet.
Presley was laid to rest at Graceland, and a memorial was held in late January to honor her life. In the weeks following her death, her mother, Priscilla Presley, challenged the validity of documents designating Presley’s daughter, actress Riley Keough, as the sole trustee of the family trust. However, in June, Keough agreed to a settlement that involved a lump-sum payment to Priscilla Presley, resolving the dispute over control of the family trust.
It is worth noting that although the Elvis brand continues to generate over $100 million annually as a licensing powerhouse, the family trust only receives a fraction of these proceeds. Confidentiality was sought regarding the settlement details, but court documents suggested a payment of $1 million.
Despite the ongoing legal matters, Riley Keough received a nomination for an Emmy Award for her outstanding performance as the rebellious character Daisy Jones in the Amazon mini-series “Daisy Jones & the Six,” a fictional representation of a 1970s band’s rise and fall.
The loss of Lisa Marie Presley continues to reverberate in the music and entertainment world, leaving fans and loved ones mourning the talented singer-songwriter’s untimely passing.