Cass Elliot, also known as Mama Cass, was an American singer and member of the iconic 1960s folk-rock band, The Mamas and the Papas. On July 29, 1974, Cass Elliot tragically passed away in a London apartment at the age of 32.
The exact cause of her death was determined to be heart failure due to pulmonary edema, characterized by an accumulation of fluid in the lungs. It was later revealed that Elliot had been suffering from obesity, which may have contributed to her heart condition.
On the night of her death, Cass Elliot had performed at the London Palladium and retired to her apartment in Mayfair. She was staying with friends, including her road manager and a journalist. Early in the morning, her friends found her lying on the floor of her bedroom, and attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. The London police were called to the scene, and she was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The media speculated that her death was a result of choking on a sandwich, considering she was found with a half-eaten sandwich beside her. However, subsequent autopsy reports disproved these rumors. The official cause of her heart failure was deemed unrelated to food or choking, but rather a natural occurrence exacerbated by her weight and unhealthy lifestyle.
Cass Elliot’s passing was a tremendous loss to the music industry and her fans. Despite her untimely death, her talent and contributions to music continue to be celebrated to this day.
