Emily Willis, a former adult film actress, has faced significant health challenges following a cardiac arrest in February 2024.
At 25, she sought treatment for a severe ketamine addiction at Summit Malibu rehabilitation center in Los Angeles. Her family has since filed a lawsuit against the facility, alleging negligence and inadequate care.
Health Decline and Cardiac Arrest
According to the lawsuit, Willis had been consuming approximately five to six grams of ketamine daily for a year prior to her admission.
Despite testing negative for substances upon entry, her health rapidly deteriorated during her stay. She experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, including dehydration and disorientation.
On February 4, 2024, she was found unconscious in her room after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Paramedics performed CPR for 30 to 40 minutes, restoring her heartbeat, but the prolonged lack of oxygen resulted in significant brain damage. She remained in a coma until May 2024 and is now in a semi-conscious state, unable to move or speak.
Legal Action Against the Rehabilitation Center
In January 2025, Willis’s family filed a lawsuit against Summit Malibu and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers, LLC. The suit alleges that the facility failed to provide appropriate medical care, leading to her current condition.
The family claims that staff neglected clear signs of her deteriorating health and did not take timely action to prevent the cardiac arrest.
Transition from Adult Entertainment
Before her health crisis, Willis had retired from the adult film industry in 2022 to pursue mainstream acting. She appeared in the 2023 sci-fi film “Divinity,” directed by Eddie Alcazar, alongside actors Stephen Dorff and Bella Thorne. Her family noted her excitement about this new career path and her potential for success in mainstream entertainment.
Current Condition and Family Support
As of February 2025, Willis remains in a semi-conscious state, primarily under her mother’s care at home. Her condition is described as “locked-in syndrome,” where she is aware of her surroundings but unable to move or communicate verbally.
Medical professionals have indicated that recovery is unlikely, and she will require lifelong care. Her family continues to seek justice through legal avenues and has expressed hope that their experience will lead to improved care standards in rehabilitation facilities.
This situation highlights the critical importance of proper medical supervision in rehabilitation centers and the devastating consequences that can arise from negligence.