Autopsy results reveal that Katie May died after visiting a chiropractor’s office and sustaining a fatal tear to an artery in her neck, TMZ reported Tuesday.
The outlet obtained a copy of May’s death certificate, which says the late Playboy model and “Queen of Snapchat” died as a result of “neck manipulation by chiropractor” that tore her vertebral artery and subsequently cut off blood flow to her brain. Her death was ruled accidental, although it’s not known if the model’s family will pursue further action against the chiropractor.
The 34-year-old died in February this year after suffering a stroke due to blockage in her carotid artery. According to a TMZ report at the time, the model fell during a photo shoot and subsequently visited a chiropractor’s office, where the tear to her vertebral artery occurred.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told People magazine that May’s cause of death was listed as “infarction of brain.”
“She had some clotting and went to the hospital where they tried to do some procedures but she passed away,” he told the publication. “I personally have not seen this before.”
At the time of her death, May had around 2 million followers on Instagram and a dedicated fan base on Snapchat. The accomplished model and single mother left behind a young daughter, whom she would often talk about as the inspiration for her career.
“I had the most important person in my world, my daughter, to make proud each day and to remind me what I was working towards,” May said in an interview in January. “Failure was not an option, not putting her in the best school was not an option, not living the lifestyle that I had dreamed of for us was not an option.
UPDATE: This post has been updated to include comments by Los Angeles Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter.
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