Keisha Nash Whitaker, formerly married to actor Forest Whitaker, passed away at the age of 51 on December 7 due to complications from alcoholic liver disease, as indicated by her death certificate obtained by TMZ.
Nash-Whitaker, who struggled with anorexia for an extended period, faced severe liver damage from prolonged alcohol consumption leading up to her demise. Additionally, the death certificate identified acute renal failure, a condition potentially exacerbated by anorexia, as a contributing factor.
She breathed her last at the Northridge Hospital Medical Center located in L.A. County. True Whitaker, their 25-year-old daughter, took to Instagram last month to share the heartbreaking news, paying tribute to her mother as ‘the most beautiful woman in the world.’
Keisha Nash Cause Of Death Revealed
Sources informed DailyMail that Nash-Whitaker had been in and out of hospitals in recent months due to gastrointestinal issues, intensifying concerns stemming from her long-standing battle with anorexia. Forest Whitaker, her ex-husband, stood by her during those challenging times before filing for divorce in 2015.
The couple, who tied the knot in 1996, had two daughters together: Sonnet, 27, and True, 25. Despite their divorce, the separation remained amicable, with Whitaker acknowledging Nash-Whitaker’s positive attributes, including her kindness, humor, and dedication as a mother.
In 2014, Nash-Whitaker’s noticeably slender appearance at the Film Independent Spirit Awards raised eyebrows, leading to widespread speculation about her health. According to RadarOnline.com, she had reportedly shed approximately 35lbs over recent years, prompting concerns about potential health risks.
Dr. Fred Pescatore, author of The Hampton’s Diet, highlighted the potential health implications associated with extreme weight loss at Nash-Whitaker’s age, emphasizing the risks of premature aging of the heart and bones, although he had not treated her personally.