Initial findings into US Senator Lindsey Graham’s death show he died of cardiovascular disease
Emergency medical responders reportedly worked to stabilise a man at the senator’s home and transport him to a hospital.
US Senator Lindsey Graham, a known ally of President Donald Trump, died suddenly over the weekend at the age of 71 as a result of heart disease.
Mr Graham, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, died hours after returning from a trip to Kyiv, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. During his trip, he told media that a bipartisan group of senators had reached an agreement with the White House to impose fresh sanctions on Russia.
Preliminary findings from the D.C. medical examiner’s office found that Mr Graham suffered from an aortic dissection, in which a tear occurs in the inner layer of the main artery, The Washington Post said, citing a statement.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The aortic dissection, which is linked to high blood pressure, was caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the statement reportedly said.
Mr Trump led tributes for Mr Graham, who turned 71 last Thursday US time, praising him in a social media message as a “true American Patriot”. Mr Trump said he was devastated by news of Mr Graham’s death.
According to Mr Trump, during what appeared to be his final call with Mr Graham, the senator had told him that he was “tired”.
“Other than that, he was fine,” Mr Trump told CNN.
The president told NBC that his conversation with Mr Graham “could’ve been his last call.”
“I got a message about 1 o’clock in the morning from one of the people in his office that he had passed away,” Mr Trump told Meet the Press.
“I just can’t believe it. He was like a member of the family to me.”
“Maybe that’s not the worst way to go,” Mr Trump told NBC.
A death certificate is pending until all toxicological and microscopic tests are finalised, Mr Graham’s office reportedly said.
“At that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death,” the statement cited by the Post said.
While a close Mr Trump ally on many matters, Mr Graham and the President disagreed on others, such as calling for a more hawkish foreign policy, that included more US support for Ukraine’s war against Russia.
Mr Graham is survived by his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, who in an ad for Mr Graham described her brother as having “never let” her down.
Mr Trump said details of Mr Graham’s funeral will follow.
