Officials release preliminary findings for U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s cause of death
WYFF News 4 starts with breaking news. We are following breaking news this morning. US Senator Lindsey Graham has died suddenly at 71 years old. His office confirmed this overnight. Good morning. I’m Sydney Shadricks. We continue to follow our breaking news this morning. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has died. Our Washington bureau reporter Jackie DeFusco has the latest. Washington is waking up in shock this morning following news that Senator Lindsey Graham died last night from *** brief and sudden illness, as his office described it in *** statement, underscoring just how sudden this was. The senator had been scheduled to do an interview on *** Sunday morning talk show today. Uh, now we are still awaiting further details this morning, but his impact on Washington was undeniable. The 71-year-old served in the US Senate for more than 2 decades. After also serving in the House and the Air Force, he was one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress. Reacting to news of his death this morning, the president called Graham one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known. He added, quote, He was always working and was *** true American patriot. Lindsay will be greatly missed. Senate Majority Leader John Thune also weighing in this morning, writing, quote, He was *** strong advocate for the United States and *** strong ally to freedom loving countries across the globe. He believed in the might of America to achieve good in the world and dedicated his life to advancing that cause. Graham was *** prominent voice on foreign policy, often advising the president on Iran, on the Russia-Ukraine war, underscoring that influence. His death prompted tributes from several Israeli leaders this morning, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And in fact, just before his death, the senator was overseas meeting with Ukraine’s President Volo. Mir Zelensky, as you can see in this picture here. Here at home, Graham had been serving as the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, giving him *** central role during the president’s second term as Republicans pushed major legislation on party line votes, such as last year’s tax law, for example. And as senators mourn his passing, there will also be questions about who will secede Graham, who was actively running for reelection this year. In Washington, I’m Jackie DeFusco, WYFF News 4. In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster is also responding this morning, saying, quote, Peggy and I and our children are devastated. Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable, the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America, and *** loyal and steadfast friend. We grieve with Darlene, his family, and his devoted staff. May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again. And as we reported earlier, Senator Graham was scheduled to appear on NBC’s Meet the Press. Senator Graham was fresh off *** trip to Ukraine where he met with Ukrainian President Vladimyr Zelensky on Friday. In June, Graham defeated multiple primary challengers to secure the nomination for *** 5th term. South Carolina Republicans must now find *** replacement nominee. Our Peyton Furtado joins us now in the studio to explain that process. Peyton. Yeah, Sydney. Uh, many of you have already asked us this morning what happens when *** senator dies during election season. It’s *** great question. Senator Lindsey Graham did win that Republican primary for senator last month, like Sydney just said. According to the 17th Amendment, when *** senator dies, the state legislature can authorize the governor to appoint *** temporary replacement. Our next scheduled election in South Carolina is in November. Graham’s seat was already up for election. Now we know Doctor Annie. Andrews from the Low Country won the Democratic primary. Mark Lynch came in 2nd for the Republican primary, but as of this morning, it’s unclear if he’ll now be the Republican pick for Senate. We are working to find that out for you this morning. This also comes with *** lot of questions for the Board of Elections in South Carolina. Will Lindsey Graham’s name still be on the ballot? I just got off the phone with Conway Belangia, the elections director. He is working to learn more for us on that front. Sydney. Peyton, thank you. And as more leaders are reacting this morning, we will continue to follow the latest reactions on Lindsey Graham’s death throughout the day on air and online at WIFF4.com.
Updated: 5:06 PM EDT Jul 12, 2026
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Officials release preliminary findings for U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s cause of death
Updated: 5:06 PM EDT Jul 12, 2026
Editorial Standards ⓘ
Officials have released a preliminary cause of death regarding U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.According to his team, the preliminary examination conducted by the medical examiner of the District of Columbia revealed that Graham died after a aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.Officials from Graham’s staff went on to say, “the death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death.”The senator’s office released the following statement early Sunday morning:“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness. Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.” Graham was 71 years old. The Hearst National Investigative Unit reviewed Washington, DC Fire and EMS communications from Saturday night.At 8:27 p.m., an ambulance was dispatched for a person with “chest pain” at a home not far from the U.S. Capitol building, which property records show is owned by Sen. Lindsey Graham. The first units were on scene within five minutes.At 8:53 p.m. (26 minutes later), an EMS supervisor called from the scene saying CPR was in progress. In a follow-up radio call, an EMS dispatcher said the patient was a 73-year-old man. Senator Graham was 71 years old — just celebrating that birthday last week on July 9. Read reaction to his death here.Biography from Sen. Graham’s website:”Graham was elected to the United States Senate in 2002 and was re-elected in 2008, 2014, and 2020. He became the first person in South Carolina history to garner over one million votes in the 2008 general election.”Graham currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. Graham also serves as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.Video below: Lindsey Graham highlights record, defends experience in Senate race “Prior to serving in the Senate, Graham was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 as the first Republican from the Third Congressional District of South Carolina since 1877.”Before being elected to Congress, Graham compiled a distinguished record in the United States Air Force as he logged six-and-a-half years of service on active duty as an Air Force lawyer. From 1984-1988, he was assigned overseas and served at Rhein-Main Air Force Base in Germany. Upon leaving active duty Air Force in 1989, Graham joined the South Carolina Air National Guard where he served until 1995. During the first Gulf War in the early 90’s, Graham was called to active duty and served state-side at McEntire Air National Guard Base as Staff Judge Advocate where he prepared members for deployment to the Gulf region.”In 1995, Graham joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves. During American military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Graham put his experience in military law to use pulling numerous short-term Reserve duties in both countries over congressional breaks and holidays.”Graham retired from the Air Force Reserves in June 2015 having served his country in uniform for 33 years. He retired at the rank of Colonel.”A native South Carolinian, Graham grew up in a blue collar family in the small town of Central where his parents ran a restaurant and pool hall. The first member of his family to go to college, Graham earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina. He lives in Seneca and is a member of Corinth Baptist Church.”Leaders react to Graham’s death President Donald Trump statement:Governor Henry McMaster issues statement:”Peggy and I—and our children—are devastated. Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend. We grieve with Darline, his family and his devoted staff. May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again.”Read more reaction here.
Officials have released a preliminary cause of death regarding U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham
According to his team, the preliminary examination conducted by the medical examiner of the District of Columbia revealed that Graham died after a aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Officials from Graham’s staff went on to say, “the death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death.”
The senator’s office released the following statement early Sunday morning:
“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness. Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
Graham was 71 years old
The Hearst National Investigative Unit reviewed Washington, DC Fire and EMS communications from Saturday night
At 8:27 p.m., an ambulance was dispatched for a person with “chest pain” at a home not far from the U.S. Capitol building, which property records show is owned by Sen. Lindsey Graham
The first units were on scene within five minutes
At 8:53 p.m. (26 minutes later), an EMS supervisor called from the scene saying CPR was in progress. In a follow-up radio call, an EMS dispatcher said the patient was a 73-year-old man. Senator Graham was 71 years old — just celebrating that birthday last week on July 9
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Read reaction to his death here
Biography from Sen. Graham’s website:
“Graham was elected to the United States Senate in 2002 and was re-elected in 2008, 2014, and 2020. He became the first person in South Carolina history to garner over one million votes in the 2008 general election
“Graham currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. Graham also serves as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Video below: Lindsey Graham highlights record, defends experience in Senate race
“Prior to serving in the Senate, Graham was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 as the first Republican from the Third Congressional District of South Carolina since 1877
“Before being elected to Congress, Graham compiled a distinguished record in the United States Air Force as he logged six-and-a-half years of service on active duty as an Air Force lawyer. From 1984-1988, he was assigned overseas and served at Rhein-Main Air Force Base in Germany. Upon leaving active duty Air Force in 1989, Graham joined the South Carolina Air National Guard where he served until 1995. During the first Gulf War in the early 90’s, Graham was called to active duty and served state-side at McEntire Air National Guard Base as Staff Judge Advocate where he prepared members for deployment to the Gulf region.
“In 1995, Graham joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves. During American military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Graham put his experience in military law to use pulling numerous short-term Reserve duties in both countries over congressional breaks and holidays
“Graham retired from the Air Force Reserves in June 2015 having served his country in uniform for 33 years. He retired at the rank of Colonel
“A native South Carolinian, Graham grew up in a blue collar family in the small town of Central where his parents ran a restaurant and pool hall. The first member of his family to go to college, Graham earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina. He lives in Seneca and is a member of Corinth Baptist Church.”
Leaders react to Graham’s death
President Donald Trump statement:
Governor Henry McMaster issues statement:
“Peggy and I—and our children—are devastated. Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend. We grieve with Darline, his family and his devoted staff. May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again.”
Read more reaction here
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