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Lisa Marie Presley cause of death revealed: how does a bowel obstruction occur?

Singer-songwriter and daughter of Elvis, Lisa Marie Presley, died in January 2023. The coroner’s report has now revealed the cause of death.

MARIO ANZUONIREUTERS

Back in January of this year, Elvis Presley’s only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, died at the age of just 54. The cause of death has now been revealed by the coroner’s report to be a “small bowel obstruction”.

The singer-songwriter complained of severe abdominal pains before later being found by her ex-husband in her Calabasas, California home. Speaking to the Associated Press, a spokesman for the local fire department said Marie Presley was not breathing when she was treated by paramedics at her home in California. The emergency services then performed a cardiopulmonary resuscitation massage on her, but she died soon after.

A fan hands a picture of Lisa Marie Presley to another fan as they attend a public memorial for at Graceland Mansion.NIKKI BOERTMANREUTERS

What was blocking Lisa Marie-Presley’s bowel?

The issue was caused by scar tissue that developed after bariatric surgery she had years ago, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office. It is a known complication of the type of surgery, and after an infection in the area, another known problem regarding this tricky surgery, Presley was prescribed opiates.

The report said that she had a “history of overmedicating; she was known to forget she had taken her medications and would take them again.” The report stated that Buprenorphine, a medication to treat opioid addiction, was present but did not contribute to her death.

How does a bowel obstruction occur?

The report said that Presley “complained of abdominal pain, fevers, vomiting and nausea but did not seek medical attention”, and as a result the issue worsened. A bowel obstruction occurs when food and liquids can’t move through your intestines, and, as pointed out by medical hospital Mayo Clinic, “intestinal adhesions — bands of fibrous tissue in the abdominal cavity that can form after abdominal or pelvic surgery” can be one of the main causes.

Priscila Presley, mother of Lisa Marie and ex-wife of Elvis Presley, revealed the death of Lisa on her social media account, saying “it is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us. She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman I have ever known.”

Ms. Presley was buried at Graceland, where a memorial was held in late January.

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