Doctor explains what locked-in syndrome diagnosis would mean for Emily Willis' recovery as she gives verdict on condition
The family of Emily Willis have filed a lawsuit against the rehab centre where she suffered a life-altering cardiac arrest
A medical expert has explained what the future could look like for adult star Emily Willis as she is still recovering from a traumatic cardiac arrest suffered last year while receiving rehabilitation treatment in a private clinic.
And if diagnosed with a condition known as 'locked-in syndrome', it would mean a devastating period of home recovery awaits her in the coming months and even years.
Real name Litzy Lara Banuelos, Willis became popular in the online pornographic and OnlyFans scene after becoming an adult film star as a teenager. Starring in more than 700 productions, she became one of the biggest names in the industry.
In recent years, Willis had recently turned her back on pornography and was pursuing a career in traditional film. But she had also been suffering from a drug addiction. Taking five to six grams of ketamine every day, she eventually was put under the care of Malibu Summit rehab centre in Los Angeles in early 2024.
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During her time under the care of Malibu Summit, Willis suffered a cardiac arrest where she was left without a heartbeat for 30 to 40 minutes.
This was after, her family claim, Willis' health worsened as she suffered from an increased heart rate, hot and cold chills, tremors, headaches, feeling 'disorientated', difficulty walking, and suffering from vaginal pain.
Since the incident and doctors thankfully being able to get her heart pumping again, Willis has been left 'permanently disabled' as she receives care at home from her mother, Yesenia Lara Cooper.
Family lawyer James A. Morris Jr. is behind the lawsuit and said that while Willis hasn't been diagnosed with locked-in syndrome yet, he added: "We have not received the medical records yet."
In an update earlier this month, Morris said Willis is now 'making outward noises' and can 'move her body somewhat'.
"She has been most recently been transferred to her mother's home, and she is there and she is being cared for by her mother," he said.
"That may have changed in the last day or two, things are pretty fluid with regard to her care and treatment because from time to time she does need to go in to the hospital and have more care than she can receive at home."
Board medical doctor Marchelle Hofeldt spoke to the Mirror US about what a locked-in syndrome diagnosis would mean for Willis and what comes next for her in life.
"Her prognosis likely remains poor as most survivors of locked-in syndrome remain either locked in or severely impaired," Dr Hofeldt says.
"It is also not unusual for them to groan or even have involuntary limb movements.
"Prognosis is dependent on extent and location of brain and nervous system damage. In her case, only time will tell and our thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family."
According to guidance issued by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, locked-in syndrome is a ‘rare disorder of the nervous system’. It causes paralysis of nearly all muscles you can control except for those that control the movement of a person's eyes.
Dr Hofeldt has also stressed that while 'most survivors of locked-in syndrome remain chronically locked-in or severely impaired' there have been cases of people making a full, or partial, recovery.
As it stands, Willis' mother remains in a legal battle against Malibu Summit and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers LLC, alleging that they partook in the 'abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, negligence and fraudulent business practices'.
LADbible has previously approached Malibu Summit for a comment.
Topics: Adult Industry, Celebrity, Health, US News, Emily Willis
Tom Earnshaw