Suddenly died at 26! Suspicion that shook the family after the autopsy

The sudden death of 26‑year‑old American art student Ali, who lived in Paris, the capital of France, plunged his family into deep sorrow. After the young woman lost her life on 26 May 2024, her family launched an investigation to learn the cause of the tragedy. The autopsy report examined weeks later raised the possibility of a previously undetected hereditary disease.

Ali's 34‑year‑old actress sister Marisa recounted what she experienced regarding her sister's death to Newsweek. The family believes the young woman may have had a rare connective‑tissue disorder called vascular Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome (vEDS). However, it was noted that no definitive diagnosis was made while Ali was alive and no genetic testing was performed.

Anxiety That Began With a Phone Call

Marisa, who described the day her sister lost her life, said that she and her mother were in the area at the time to visit Ali. Marisa, who said they took a long walk all day, recounted that the connection abruptly dropped while she was speaking on the phone with her mother at night.

Concerned about the situation, Marisa and her mother ran to Ali's apartment. When they couldn't open the door, they called for help from the French emergency services.

Emphasizing that her sister appeared healthy from the outside, Marisa said the death was a huge shock for them.

Symptoms Seen for Years Grab Attention

Marisa said that her sister had experienced some health problems since childhood. Her brother, who noted that Ali often complained of pain, soreness, and fatigue, also reported that the young woman bruised easily and her skin appeared quite translucent.

Marisa described Ali's joints and body as extremely flexible, saying she had admired her sister's flexible movements as a child. However, she said she never considered that these traits might be linked to a rare and serious disease at the time.

According to Marisa, Ali never received a definitive diagnosis for her complaints despite being taken to doctors several times during her upbringing. The young woman was never subjected to genetic testing.

Suspected Cause of Death: Aortic Rupture

Marisa, who said she had reviewed the autopsy report with various doctors in South Florida, stated that the family concluded that Ali might have had vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Marisa said she believes her sister may have suffered a tear in the abdominal aorta, which could have caused her sudden death. However, this statement is an assessment made by the family and is not presented as a confirmed diagnosis.

The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygen‑rich blood from the heart to the body. Aneurysms that develop in the vessel wall and potential ruptures can be life‑threatening, especially when large vessels are involved.

What is Vascular Ehlers‑Danlos Syndrome?

Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome (EDS) is the name given to a group of inherited disorders that affect the body's connective tissues. In some people, these conditions manifest with symptoms such as joint hypermobility, increased skin elasticity, easy bruising, and tissue sensitivity.

Vascular Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome is one of the rarer forms of the disease. It can cause fragility in the tissues that make up the walls of blood vessels and some internal organs. This can raise the risk of serious vessel ruptures and organ damage.

The symptoms of the disease can vary from person to person. While easy bruising, thin or translucent skin, and excessive mobility in some joints may be present, the presence of these features alone does not mean a person has vascular Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome.

Ali's story has brought renewed attention to concerns that some hereditary diseases may go undetected for a long time without a clear diagnosis.

Marisa said she realized that appearing healthy from the outside does not always mean there is no underlying health issue after what she had experienced.