On July 12, local time, the office of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, released a statement saying he passed away suddenly on the evening of July 11 at the age of 71.
According to reports, his communications director Tyler Reddy shared in a statement on July 12 that preliminary findings from the Washington D.C. medical examiner’s office show Graham’s death was caused by an aortic dissection due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
The statement added: “The death certificate will remain ‘pending’ until all toxicology and microscopic tests are completed. Once finished, it will be updated to clarify the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death.”
Lindsey Graham in a file photo
Graham was first elected as a senator in 2003 and was a close political ally of President Donald Trump. He served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was planning to seek a fifth six-year term in November. Known for his hawkish stance, many critics labeled him a “war hawk.”
Just before his death, Graham had concluded a visit to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 10.
Reports indicate that Trump has ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff until July 18. Four U.S. law enforcement sources revealed that investigators have found no signs of murder or unnatural death so far.