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.
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 Graham’s death resulted from “aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” his office stated. Aoric dissection is a critical medical emergency involving a tear in the inner wall of the aorta, the body’s main artery.
“The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized,” the statement said. 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 final death certificate will be updated once testing concludes.
The Timeline
Graham had returned from Ukraine the day before his death, 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 the SAVE America Act. “He sounded a little tired, but perfect,” Trump said of the conversation, “and he was a worker-he was really a worker, but he sounded great actually.”
Tributes and Reactions
Trump issued a statement early Sunday, writing: “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.”
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.