Posted on 07/19/2006 4:38:42 PM PDT by Jean S
Enron Corp. founder Kenneth Lay had three severely clogged arteries and had experienced at least two heart attacks before he died, according to autopsy results released Wednesday.
The report blames severe coronary artery disease for Lay's death. It also said the autopsy showed Lay had suffered at least two previous heart attacks and had two stents implanted.
The Lays were vacationing near Aspen, Colo., when he died. The report, prepared by the coroner in Mesa County, Colo., said Lay was last seen alive by his wife on July 5 at 1 a.m., when he woke up and went into a bathroom.
Minutes later, she heard a "thump," and found him on the floor, the report said. He had vomited and showed signs of having a seizure. Linda Lay called paramedics, but Lay was pronounced dead on arrival at Aspen Valley Hospital.
Lay, 64, and former Enron chief executive Jeffrey Skilling were convicted May 25 of fraud and conspiracy for lying to investors and the public about the financial health of Enron before the energy company he founded collapsed in 2001.
He also was convicted of one count of bank fraud and three counts of lying to banks in a separate, non-jury trial before U.S. Judge Sim Lake stemming from his personal banking. Lay died insisting he'd committed no crimes, and planned to appeal.
Skilling, who now faces sentencing alone on Oct. 23, also aims to appeal and faces decades in prison.
Lay's death sparked myriad conspiracy theories on the Internet, some tongue-in-cheek, others questioning whether he faked his demise to avoid prison.
I'm sure he knew it. He had two stents inserted which is a procedure to open clogged arteries, usually after minor heart attacks.
They'll do anything to beat hard time, won't they?
My dad died at 62 and with his autopsy they found he had several previous heart attacks as well. None of us in the family ever knew he had them and my mom indicated he never complained about heart issues either.
He had regular checkups each year as well. Sometimes we think the medical world can find all this stuff, but often they do not.
RIP Dad!
stress....yes, my first thought was a broken heart. It does happen. Plus, the altitude makes some things even worse, healthwise.
Apparently he knew he had CAD as he had two stents. Some small heart attacks are silent. No uncommon at all. Sounds like he went into V-tach with the collapse and seizure activity. Most common cause of acute death in those with heart disease.
He had been diagnosed with the disease sometime in the 1990s. Mid, I think, I really didn't make it a memorable moment.
I remember him getting the stents around 2000. But I definitely remember the reports stating that it was stable coronary artery disease, and with the treatment of statins, he should be fine.
There never was a report in the Houston media of any prior heart attack, and that's not something that could have been kept quiet. The guy practically ran the city as the shadow mayor.
I'm just sad he didn't spend a single day in prison. I also really hope his family doesn't get a dime of his tainted money.
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