Sen. Lindsey Graham died of a ruptured aorta brought on by chronic heart disease, according to the preliminary findings of the DC medical examiner’s office released Sunday.
An initial investigation found that the 71-year-old senator from South Carolina died from “Aortic Dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease,” according to the findings, which were released by the senator’s office.
The rare condition involves a tear in the body’s main artery; it mostly affects older men, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death,” the medical examiner’s office said in its initial assessment.
Graham’s family has a history of heart disease and his father, Florence James Graham, died of a heart attack in his late 60s.
Emergency officials responded to Graham’s Capitol Hill home at around 8:30 p.m. when they received a report about an individual suffering from chest pains scanner audio revealed.
Medics performed CPR and he was rushed to George Washington University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness. Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” Graham’s office said on X on Sunday morning.
For more than two decades, Graham championed the peace through American strength abroad, advocating for military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq — and Iran.
He also pushed hard to back Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion — and had just returned from a trip to Kyiv hours before he died.
Graham was scheduled to appear on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” Sunday morning. Just before his death, around 7 p.m., the senator had a call with Trump.
“He sounded a little tired, but perfect, but a little bit tired,” Trump recounted to NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday, noting that Graham “sounded great actually.” “He was like a member of the family to me. It’s very tough, actually.”
When Trump entered Republican politics, Graham clashed bitterly with him — as the South Carolina senator launched his own presidential bid.
At the time, Graham had been incensed at how Trump insulted his kindred spirit, late Sen. John McCain, for getting captured during the Vietnam War.
But the pair late made amends and became close allies.
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