On Monday, Senator Tommy Tuberville revealed that a former staffer called emergency services after Senator Lindsey Graham reported chest pains.
The caller, described as a woman from Baltimore, told responders she was not inside Graham’s home but believed the door was unlocked.
Graham’s door was locked, so first responders had to force entry. By the time the caller arrived, responders had already knocked the door down and were treating him.
A preliminary examination determined the cause of death was an aortic dissection linked to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Tuberville explained that the former scheduler was with the former staffer when Graham called, saying he had chest pains and asking if 911 had been called; the staffer then contacted emergency services.
He remarked that Graham had overexerted himself, suggesting that his condition was related to excessive stress.
Senator Graham died Saturday night after a sudden illness, shortly after turning 71 on July 9.
An audio recording of the 911 dispatch call shows Graham experiencing chest pains before cardiac arrest.
First responders arrived at Graham’s Washington, D.C. residence on South Capitol Street SE Saturday night; Engine 7 reported CPR was underway but the senator could not be revived.
Emergency radio traffic confirms chest pains preceding cardiac arrest.
