Actress Emily Willis, 27, is now fully paralyzed and requires round-the-clock care following a catastrophic heart attack that occurred during a stay at a luxury California rehabilitation clinic. The incident, which happened in January 2024, left her in a coma for nearly three weeks, resulting in irreversible brain damage. Willis, whose real name is Litzy Lara Banuelos, can open her eyes but is unable to communicate beyond pained grunts and moans, sustained by feeding and breathing tubes.

A Last Text and a Sudden Silence

The last known communication from Willis was a text message to her brother, Michael Cooper, stating she would be offline for approximately a week while undergoing a “detox” at the Summit Malibu clinic. “Hey Bubs, I am about to check in. I might not have my phone. So, if you don’t hear from me in the next seven days, that’s why!! Then I get my phone back after detox,” she wrote. Her brother responded with encouragement, expressing his love and pride in her decision to seek treatment for a worsening ketamine and alcohol addiction.

However, nine days into her stay, Willis suffered a massive heart attack. After emerging from a coma, doctors delivered the devastating news of the extensive brain damage. Her family has noted occasional spasms, which they believe might indicate a level of awareness of her condition, though it remains unclear how much she comprehends.

Background and Hollywood Career

Emily Willis gained mainstream recognition with a role in the 2023 science fiction film Divinity, starring alongside Bella Thorne. Prior to this, she had built a successful career in the adult film industry, earning accolades from publications like Penthouse and accumulating significant earnings. She had also garnered a substantial following on platforms such as OnlyFans.

Born in Mexico, Willis moved to Utah with her family at a young age and later relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her career. She maintained a close relationship with her brother, Michael, with whom she had discussed plans to transition out of the adult film industry and pursue studies in psychology.

Allegations Against the Rehab Facility

A civil complaint filed by Willis’s mother, Yesenia Cooper, alleges that the Summit Malibu clinic failed to provide adequate care. According to the complaint, in the months leading up to her rehab stay, Willis was reportedly consuming five to six grams of ketamine daily. The complaint details a decline in her health during her time at the facility, including refusing medications, exhibiting withdrawal symptoms, and becoming increasingly disoriented and frail. Notes from her medical chart, as described in the complaint, indicated she was “disheveled, frail, disoriented” with “difficulty walking” three days into her stay, and five days in, she was described as “anxious, distressed, barely eating, not showering or getting dressed and was experiencing aches, tremors, spasms and weakness.”

The complaint further alleges that Willis suffered from severe dehydration, night terrors, and a urinary tract infection, and that staff assured her family she was doing well despite her deteriorating condition. Her weight reportedly dropped significantly from 111 pounds to 83 pounds by the time of her cardiac arrest, with the complaint stating she was not seen by a nutritionist or dietitian. On the ninth day, a nurse reportedly found her unresponsive and not breathing. Paramedics worked for nearly an hour to revive her.

Summit Malibu, through its parent company Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers, denies all allegations of wrongdoing or liability. The facility’s attorneys have noted that the exact circumstances leading to Willis’s cardiac arrest remain unclear.

Legal Resolution and Ongoing Care

In July of the current year, a settlement was reached in the case, resulting in a trust of approximately $1.25 million for Willis’s ongoing care after legal fees and other obligations. An additional $120,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign to support her needs.

Following the incident, Willis’s mother moved her to Mexico, where she is now receiving 24/7 care from family members. Despite her severe condition, her mother believes Willis retains some awareness of her situation, citing instances of screaming and kicking as expressions of frustration.

A Future Unforeseen

The tragic turn of events has left Willis’s family grappling with the aftermath. Her brother, Michael, expressed his distress over the situation, reading their last text messages with emotion. The family had envisioned a different future for Willis, one that involved leaving the adult film industry, pursuing higher education, and focusing on her well-being. The events at Summit Malibu have irrevocably altered that path, leaving her in a state of profound dependency and her future uncertain.