LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The exact cause of rapper Kanye West's mother's death was unknown, a Los Angeles coroner ruled Thursday, apparently clearing the plastic surgeon who operated on her the day before she died.
The Los Angeles County coroner's office reported that there was no evidence of "surgical or anesthetic misadventure" in the death of 58-year-old Donda West, who underwent a breast reduction and liposuction procedure on November 9.
In a statement released today, the coroner's office said an autopsy showed "coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors due to or as a consequence of liposuction and mammoplasty."
"The final manner of death could not be determined," the statement said. "Multiple post-operative factors could have played a role in the death. The exact contribution of each factor could not be determined. There was no evidence of a surgical or anesthetic misadventure."
The coroner's statement appeared to vindicate the surgeon who operated on West, Dr Jan Adams, who denied any wrongdoing after the tragedy.
West was declared dead at the Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center after being found unresponsive in her Playa del Rey home on November 10.
"What came out of the autopsy released today was exactly what I thought was going to be reported," Adams said in a statement issued to entertainment television program "Extra."
"Out of respect for Kanye West's family, I want to honor the doctor-patient confidentiality agreement," he said.
In the wake of West's death, it was reported that Adams was under investigation by the state medical board because of a series of drunk driving arrests. A 100,000-dollar judgment against him in an unrelated medical malpractice case also came to light.
An academic, West spent about 30 years at Chicago State University, rising to head of the English department before leaving to manage her son's career.
She had headed the Kanye West Foundation, which is aimed at keeping inner-city youths in school.
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