South Carolina GOP Senator Lindsey Graham died from aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to preliminary findings released by Washington, D.C.’s medical examiner’s office.
Graham passed away Saturday evening after a brief sudden illness, his office announced Sunday morning. Emergency Medical Services responded to his Capitol Hill address at 8:27 p.m. Saturday for reports of chest pains.
The Medical Findings
The preliminary examination determined that aortic dissection – a tear in the inner wall of the aorta, the body’s main artery – caused Graham’s death. The condition developed as a result of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department Jeffery W. Carroll and District of Columbia Chief Medical Examiner Francisco J. Diaz confirmed the findings in a joint statement. The death certificate remains pending until toxicological and microscopic testing is completed.
“Whenever an autopsy is performed in the District of Columbia, the pathologist also orders comprehensive toxicology testing and microscopy both of which take time to complete,” they said.
The Circumstances
Graham had returned from Ukraine the day before his death, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss U.S. support for the country’s defense against Russian aggression. He spoke with President Trump by phone Saturday evening about pending legislation.
Trump told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Graham called him in the early evening after landing from Ukraine. “He sounded a little tired, but perfect,” Trump said, adding that Graham expressed confidence about passage of the SAVE America Act.
Tributes and Impact
Trump issued a statement on Truth Social calling Graham “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.” “Lindsey will be greatly missed,” Trump wrote.
Graham had been scheduled to appear on “Meet the Press” Sunday morning, but the program was preempted for Trump’s phone interview instead.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Health and Politics teams contributed to this report.
