Senator Lindsey Graham's cause of death was an aortic tear, says medical examiner
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has died at age 71 due to an aortic dissection. A prominent Republican voice on foreign policy, Graham was known for his interventionist views and recent support for Donald Trump.
Why it matters
The death of a high-profile senator creates a vacancy in the U.S. Senate and impacts the political landscape regarding foreign policy and party leadership.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lindsey Graham died at the age of 71
US Senator Lindsey Graham died of an "aortic dissection" caused by cardiovascular disease, according to a preliminary finding by the Washington DC medical examiner.
An aortic dissection is a tear in the main artery that carries blood to the body.
Graham, a close Republican ally of President Donald Trump, died at the age of 71 on Saturday evening.
Elected to the Senate in 2002, the South Carolina politician was one of Washington's most influential voices on foreign policy, often pushing for US military intervention overseas.
Trump pushes for Lindsey Graham's sister as replacement after senator's death from aortic tear
Published 36 minutes ago Graham's spokesperson said the death certificate would be pending until "all the toxicological and microscopic testing" was finalised.
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