Harry Morton’s Official Cause of Death Revealed

UPDATE: Celebrity restaurateur Harry Morton died of “probable” cardiac arrhythmia and myocardial bridging with coronary atherosclerosis, according to an official autopsy report obtained by E! News. His manner of death is listed as natural. 

The report states that “…arrhythmia and/or sudden death associated with myocardial bridging in some cases is likely associated with the pre-existing flow-limiting atherosclerosis combined with hemodynamic effects of the bridging resulting in myocardial ischemia.” 

Morton tested negative for drugs and alcohol. 

See more updates on the death investigation below.  

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More details continue to emerge about Harry Morton’s sudden passing. Though the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office has yet to release an official cause of death, the restauranteur’s family has confirmed he died from a heart attack.

A family spokesperson told multiple outlets that Morton, just 38, suffered from a coronary artery disease with a “mildly enlarged heart.” According to the family, a doctor found that Morton had calcification in three of his main arteries and went into sudden cardiac arrest.
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Family and friends are still in mourning. 

Harry Morton died at the age of 38 earlier this week. E! News confirms that Harry’s autopsy was completed today and that his cause of death has been deferred pending additional investigation.

The late businessman was found unresponsive in the house by his younger brother Matthew Morton, People  reported. The Los Angeles County Coroner Harry’s death to E! News. 

“We are saddened by the passing of Harry Morton, the founder and former owner of Pink Taco. Harry was a visionary and restaurateur ahead of his time, and his contributions, both professionally to our brand and personally to those he worked with, were numerous. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time,” Pink Taco said in a statement to the magazine.

In addition to his restaurants, Harry also owned the Viper Room, the Hollywood nightclub where Joaquin Phoenix‘s brother River Phoenix died of an overdose in 1993.

(This story was originally published on Monday, November 25, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. PT.)