US Senator Lindsey Graham’s preliminary cause of death revealed after ‘sudden’ passing aged 71
A preliminary cause of death has been revealed after the sudden passing of US senator Lindsey Graham at 71.
The South Carolina Senator died on Saturday (11 July) evening following a ‘brief and sudden illness’.
In a statement his office said: “On the evening of Saturday, July 11, 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.”
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His office has since shared an update revealing the preliminary cause of death.
In a statement, Graham’s office said the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia preliminary examination findings were that he died of ‘aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease’.
That is an aorta rupture stemming from hardening of Graham’s arteries.
“The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalised 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 the statement.
US President Donald Trump has revealed that he spoke to Graham on the phone just over an hour before he died.
Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Trump shared: “He said he just landed from Ukraine. I said, ‘that’s a long trip to make’.
“He sounded a little tired. Perfect, but a little tired, but he had the right to be.
“He was a worker. He was really a worker, but he sounded great. He said that he was tired, but he wanted to pass the SAVE America Act, and I said, well, we’re going to get it done, Lindsey, we’re going to get it done,”
Graham had been one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress, and the US President has since paid tribute.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!”
Just days before his death, Graham had flown out to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the pair posing for photos.
Zelensky has since released a statement, saying he ‘will miss’ the late Senator.
He said: “Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world a safer place.
“He visited Ukraine 10 times during the years of Russia’s full-scale invasion and was here, alongside our people, when it was needed most.
“We were in constant dialogue, which I will miss.
“We extend our condolences to Lindsey’s family, his loved ones, and everyone who had the honor of working alongside him.”
Graham was elected to the Senate in 2002, and over time became well-known for his close ties with Trump, despite briefly running for the presidential nomination in 2016.
Graham was not married and did not have children.
His closest living relative is sister Darline Graham Nordone, whom he helped raise.
Topics: Donald Trump, US News
Claire Reid