Coroner Can't Solve Donda West Death
Donda West's death will remain a mystery.
The Los Angeles County coroner's probe of Kanye West's mother's sudden death came to an inconclusive conclusion Thursday.
The official report stated that Donda West showed signs of "coronary artery disease and multiple postoperative factors due to or as a consequence of liposuction and mammoplasty."
West was listed at 5-foot-2 and 188 pounds, excessive for her size, and had serious blockages in two arteries. She had developed several complications after surgery, including bronchopneumonia in one lung, per the report, but she suffered no internal bleeding. There were no drugs in her system, aside from "therapeutic levels of medication."
Dr. Louis A. Pena, a medical examiner, is quoted in the report that he believed a combination of heart disease and post-surgery problems led to West's death, but ultimately the report states "the final manner of death could not be determined."
West, a 58-year-old former college professor, suffered a major heart attack on Nov. 10, a day after an extensive nip-tuck procedure. Despite the frantic efforts of her companions, paramedics and emergency room staffers, she was unable to be revived.
Dr. Jan Adams, the plastic surgeon who performed breast reduction, liposuction and a tummy tuck on West later said, "I believe I know exactly what happened to her, but I will not comment on it until I see the final report."
Adams, whose checkered medical and personal history came to light in the days following West's death and who was criticized by one peer who had turned down West citing unspecified health issues, reiterated those sentiments Thursday.
"What came out of the autopsy released today, was exactly what I thought was going to be reported," he said. "Out of respect for Kanye West’s family, I want to honor the doctor-patient confidentiality agreement."
But if he knows "exactly what happened to her," he's apparently the only one. The coroner's office was not so certain.
"Multiple postoperative factors could have played a role in the death," the report said. "The exact contribution of each factor could not be determined. There was no evidence of a surgical or anesthetic misadventure."
Kanye West, who has struggled to deal with the loss of the woman who helped guide his career, has yet to address the coroner's findings.
In fact, aside from choked-up performances of his track "Hey Mama" during recent concerts, the closest he's come to addressing his mother's death was a Jan. 3 statement to fans on his blog, simply saying, "Thank you for all your support."
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