South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham died from aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to Washington, D.C.’s medical examiner.
Graham, 68, passed away Saturday evening after a sudden illness, his office announced Sunday. Emergency Medical Services responded to his Capitol Hill residence at 8:27 p.m. Saturday following reports of chest pains.
Medical Findings
The preliminary examination determined Graham’s death resulted from “aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” according to a statement from his office. An aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the inner wall of the aorta, the body’s main artery.
Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery W. Carroll and District of Columbia Medical Examiner Francisco J. Diaz confirmed the findings in a joint statement. “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 death certificate remains pending until toxicological and microscopic testing concludes, according to the medical examiner’s office.
Recent Activities
Graham had returned from Ukraine on Friday, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss American support for the country’s defense against Russian aggression. President Trump disclosed that Graham called him Saturday evening after returning from the trip to discuss legislative matters.
“He sounded a little tired, but perfect,” Trump said of the conversation in a later statement. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot.”
Public Reaction
Graham had been scheduled to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” with anchor Kristen Welker on Sunday morning. The program instead featured a phone interview with Trump, who shared details about their final conversation.
This story has been updated. CNN’s National Desk contributed to this report.
