Family reveals cause of death of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch’s family said medical tests confirmed severe pneumonia, which progressed to sepsis and ultimately led to his death.
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch was cremated in Mooresville, North Carolina, after his death last week, according to a death certificate first obtained by US Weekly.
According to the certificate, Mr. Bush, 41, had been battling bacterial pneumonia for “days to weeks” before dying of natural causes on May 21 at 4:37 p.m. Pneumonia progressed to sepsis, which occurred approximately 1 day before death. The sepsis caused disseminated intravascular coagulation, an abnormal clotting throughout blood vessels that blocks flow to organs. This was followed by hemorrhagic shock due to severe bleeding. DIC and hemorrhagic shock lasted several hours.
Bush’s family announced Saturday that severe pneumonia progressed to sepsis, “causing rapid and overwhelming complications.”
There were multiple reports that Mr. Bush was apparently unwell in the weeks before his death. FOX Sports reported that Busch asked for medical attention during the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen on May 10. “I need an injection,” Busch said.
On May 16, the day after winning the Truck Series race at Dover, he told The Athletic that he was “still not feeling well,” adding that his cough the previous week was “pretty bad.”
On May 19, Busch attended the opening of an indoor karting facility in Durham, North Carolina, and the next day he posed for photos at the team’s race shop.
On May 20, around 5:30 p.m., a 911 caller reported someone at the General Motors Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina, having trouble breathing, feeling very hot, thinking they were going to pass out and coughing up blood, according to a recording obtained by USA TODAY. The caller said the person was on the bathroom floor and asked responders to turn off the siren upon arrival.
Mr. Bush passed away the next day at 4:37 p.m.
NASCAR, Busch’s team and family jointly announced his death less than an hour later at 5:30 p.m.
He leaves behind his wife, Samantha, and their children, Brexton, 11, and Lennix, 4. They made their first public appearance three days later at the Coca-Cola 600 for a pre-race memorial.
