Actress Emily Willis, known for her roles in films like "Divinity" and her work in the adult film industry, has been left paralyzed and unable to communicate beyond grunts following a catastrophic heart attack in January 2024. Her family alleges that her condition is a result of negligence during a 21-day stay at Summit Malibu, a luxury rehabilitation clinic in California, where she had checked in to address a ketamine and alcohol addiction.
According to a civil complaint filed by her mother, Yesenia Cooper, Willis, then 27, was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest nine days into her $45,500 treatment program. Paramedics reportedly worked for nearly an hour to revive her. It took almost three weeks for Willis to emerge from a coma, by which time doctors stated the brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation was irreversible. She is now under 24-hour care and requires a feeding and breathing apparatus.
Willis's brother, Michael Cooper, 24, told the Daily Mail that his sister was initially enthusiastic about her stay at Summit Malibu, which she believed offered extensive amenities and celebrity clientele. He stated he had no reason to anticipate any issues. However, the complaint alleges that during her stay, Willis suffered from night terrors, a severe urinary tract infection, and extreme dehydration, with clinic staff allegedly assuring the family she was well.
The complaint further claims that Willis, who weighed 111 pounds upon entering the clinic, had dropped to 83 pounds by the time of her cardiac arrest, despite not being seen by a nutritionist or dietitian. Medical chart notes, as described in the complaint, indicated that on her first day, she refused medications and showed withdrawal symptoms. By the third day, she was described as disheveled, frail, and disoriented, experiencing difficulty walking but refusing hospitalization. After five days, notes allegedly described her as anxious, distressed, barely eating, and experiencing tremors, spasms, and weakness.
Summit Malibu has denied all allegations, and the clinic's parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers, does not admit to any liability or wrongdoing. Willis's attorney acknowledged in court filings that the case was not a clear-cut victory and that the exact events leading to her collapse remain unknown.
A $3 million settlement was reached in July, leaving approximately $1.25 million in a trust for Willis's ongoing care after legal fees and other obligations. Michael Cooper expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding what transpired, emphasizing that the incident occurred while his sister was under the care of medical professionals.
Willis's mother has since moved her daughter to Mexico, where family members provide care at a relative's home. Yesenia Cooper plans to purchase a house in Mexico to manage her daughter's care more affordably and is considering experimental treatments in Spain to help Willis regain some independence. Her brother expressed concern that his mother may experience burnout from the demanding caregiving.
Willis, born Litzy Lara Banuelos in Mexico, moved to Utah with her family in 2005 and later obtained U.S. citizenship. She left home at 17 and moved to Los Angeles, where she entered the adult film industry. Her brother described her as independent and generous, noting her past offers to fund his college education.
In the year leading up to her January 2024 admission to rehab, legal records state Willis was consuming five to six grams of ketamine daily. Her family has also raised over $120,000 for her care through a GoFundMe campaign. Despite her condition, her brother remains hopeful, noting that she sometimes responds to him with a pucker of her lips, suggesting a level of awareness.