Lindsey Graham's Death Attributed to Aortic Dissection; Autopsy Pending Final Tests

The preliminary autopsy report for U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham indicates his death was caused by an aortic dissection, a severe condition involving a tear in the body's main artery. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia stated that the dissection was due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The final death certificate remains pending, awaiting the completion of all toxicological and microscopic examinations.

Graham, 71, had recently returned from a trip to Ukraine. His office had previously stated he died Saturday night after a brief, sudden illness. Emergency services audio revealed a woman called to report Graham was suffering chest pain and was alone. Paramedics faced a locked door but initiated CPR. It remains unclear if he died at home or was transported to a hospital.

Graham, serving his fourth consecutive six-year term, was a prominent Republican voice known for his tough stance on Iran and strong support for Israel and Ukraine. Despite political differences, former U.S. President Joe Biden, who served with Graham in the Senate for over a decade, expressed his condolences. Biden recalled their frequent, sometimes heated, disagreements but emphasized their shared belief in the importance of public service.