Former adult star Emily Willis’ health updates – from ‘movement’ to ‘noises’
Former adult film star Emily Willis, born Litzy Lara Banuelos, faces a future of constant care and potential immobility following a tragic incident her family believes could have been prevented. Once leading a life filled with fame, fortune, and adoring friends, Emily’s reality has drastically changed.
She is likely to spend most of her time within the confines of her mother’s home, possibly unaware of her surroundings.
Emily checked into Summit Malibu rehab on January 27, hoping to overcome her ketamine addiction and reclaim control over her life. However, her life took a devastating turn on February 4.
Her family has since filed a lawsuit against the facility, accusing them of neglect in the days leading up to Emily’s cardiac arrest. As the family seeks additional financial assistance, the Daily Star has gathered all known information about Emily’s health situation.
Despite her past as an adult actress, Emily remains a human being deserving of care and respect, reports the Daily Star.
The family has enlisted the services of attorney James Morris to represent them in their lawsuit against Summit Malibu rehab center. They maintain that Emily was free of ketamine upon arrival and throughout her stay at the facility.
Mr. Morris revealed that Emily is now permanently disabled due to an anoxic brain injury, a consequence of being deprived of oxygen for an extended period following a medical mishap. Emily was admitted to Summit Malibu on January 27, 2024, but by February 4, she was found unconscious by a nurse practitioner.
The duration of her unconscious state before discovery remains uncertain, but the nurse promptly dialed 911, initiated CPR, and summoned additional help. Paramedics reportedly performed CPR for approximately 30 to 40 minutes before restoring a heartbeat, but the prolonged oxygen deprivation had already resulted in paralysis for Emily.
Now under her mother’s care at home in Utah, Mr. Morris confirmed: “She has been most recently transferred to her mother’s home, and she is there and she is being cared for by her mother.”
He added that her care situation might have changed in the past day or two as it remains fluid, with occasional hospital visits required for more intensive care than can be provided at home.
When asked about Emily’s ability to communicate, he shared: “I believe that if you were asking her mother, her mother would say ‘yes I can communicate with her and understand her albeit not in a verbal sense’.”
In a significant health update, Emily’s attorney confirmed that she can now “move her body somewhat” and “make outward noises”.
Mr. Morris disclosed: “She does make outward noises from time to time, she does move her body around some, but her eyes do move, she does track, whether or not she’s understanding exactly what’s going on is hard for us to determine, I don’t know.”
He added, “We are retaining a physiatrist to work as an expert witness on our case who will go to Utah examine her and hopefully be able to give us more info about his expert opinion to what extent she understands what’s happening around her.”
Mr. Morris confirmed that doctors are racing to identify her medical condition, with locked-in syndrome being a potential diagnosis. This rare neurological disorder results in paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles, barring those controlling eye movement.
When questioned if Emily had been diagnosed with locked-in syndrome, James Morris informed us: “Emily hasn’t been diagnosed with locked-in syndrome yet but I will preface that by saying we have not received the medical records […] yet.”
He continued, “We’ve ordered them and as soon as we see them we’ll be able to see what the neurologist on charge or at the hospital that day had to say about her condition, and whether or not she does have the locked-in syndrome.”
He concluded, “But yes, we are investigating that and drilling down on that. We are aware that it is certainly a possibility.”
After more than a year of being paralyzed and consequently losing weight, Emily has become incredibly fragile. Originally weighing around 100lbs (7st) when she first entered the treatment facility, any further weight loss would severely impact her frail condition.
“Her physical being is not in good shape, she’s lost a great deal of weight and is unable to of course [move much] at all.”
expressed Mr. Morris with concern. “And so her physical condition is not good, her mental condition is unknown, but she’s still here. I think that in and of itself says something about her resilience and her desire to live.”
He continued, sharing hope for her recovery: “And with modern medicine and the advances that we have in science, we can all hope that Litzy gets back to the functioning level that makes her life worthwhile.”
Emily’s care has been financially draining. Her family, including her mom Yesenia Cooper, have expressed gratitude towards those who’ve supported their GoFundMe, which has now surpassed $100,000.
Despite this, the high costs of her needed care require further assistance. Donations can be made through the provided link.
Reflecting on the situation, Mr. Morris said: “It’s unfortunate but the cost of the type of treatment that she needs is quite expensive, so it has been very very warming to the hearts of her loved ones that people have reached out, people have been kind in this manner.”
“Honestly, her mum sits there and reads to her the notes and the emails that have come in due to the media coverage. She was a wonderful young lady who was doing the best that she could to make it in this world with what she had.”
“She was a very determined person and like many people in this industry, drugs can be an overwhelming barricade to a wonderful career and wonderful life, oftentimes.”
Summit Malibu has not responded to requests for comment.
Former adult film star Emily Willis could spend the rest of her life unable to move properly or speak and with 24/7 care after a tragic incident that her family say could have been avoided
Could it be locked-in syndrome?
Did her weight loss play a factor?
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EMILY WILLIS
Ex-porn star Emily Willis left permanently disabled following rehab stint: lawsuit
Tuesday, 04 Feb 2025
Prior to entering the rehab facility, she rose to fame in the adult film industry in 2018 and starred in over 700 films. Photo: Emily Willis/Instagram
The family of former porn star Emily Willis is suing a Los Angeles rehab centre, alleging its negligent and abusive treatment caused her “irreversible brain damage.”
The 25-year-old, whose credits include Blacked, Deeper and School Sluts, has been left permanently disabled following a stint last year at Summit Malibu, where she was seeking treatment for ketamine addiction, according to legal documents obtained by Complex.
Willis – born Litzy Lara Banuelos – was allegedly found unconscious by a staffer on Feb 4, but it wasn’t clear how long she’d been left unattended. According to the lawsuit, she suffered cardiac arrest at the facility.
Paramedics performed CPR for over a half hour before her heartbeat was restored, the suit states.
However, oxygen deprivation allegedly left Willis in a semi-conscious state, with “irreversible brain damage and permanent physical and mental incapacity.” She’s now in a care home in Utah, unable to move or speak.
The plaintiff, her caretaker Yesenia Lara Cooper, is accusing the rehab facility and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers, of “abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, negligence and fraudulent business practices.”
“Had the staff followed standard medical protocols, Emily would have had the opportunity to regain control of her life,” attorney James A. Morris Jr. charged.
“No patient should ever be subjected to such a horrendous breakdown in clinical care. Her health was ignored until it was too late, and now her life is forever changed.”
According to the lawsuit, Willis was admitted to Summit Malibu on Jan 27, 2024, after spending the previous year consuming “five to six grams” per day of the dissociative anesthetic ketamine. She also allegedly suffered from anorexia.
The suit, filed Dec 27, 2024, is seeking “no less than the jurisdictional amount” of compensation for damages caused by her debilitation, as well as restitution and legal fees, reported E! News.
Prior to entering the rehab facility, Willis rose to fame in the adult film industry in 2018 and starred in over 700 films.
She was named Penthouse Pet of the Month and won 10 AVN Awards, including Female Performer of the Year in 2021, before announcing her retirement. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
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| Symbol | Open | High | Low | Last | Chg | %Chg | Vol (’00) |
| HSI-PWB9 | 0.105 | 0.105 | 0.055 | 0.060 | -0.050 | -45.45 | 2,590,207 |
| DIALOG | 1.600 | 1.600 | 1.450 | 1.570 | -0.240 | -13.26 | 2,083,706 |
| HSI-CWCC | 0.205 | 0.310 | 0.205 | 0.305 | 0.095 | 45.24 | 1,681,618 |
| HSI-PWDC | 0.060 | 0.060 | 0.035 | 0.040 | -0.030 | -42.86 | 930,534 |
| DIALOG-C1W | 0.050 | 0.050 | 0.030 | 0.040 | -0.040 | -50.00 | 758,408 |
| VELESTO | 0.185 | 0.185 | 0.170 | 0.185 | 0.000 | 0.00 | 679,059 |
| DIALOG-C1V | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.010 | 0.015 | -0.030 | -66.67 | 659,924 |
| HM | 0.155 | 0.160 | 0.145 | 0.150 | 0.005 | 3.45 | 635,922 |
| NOTION | 1.160 | 1.180 | 0.840 | 0.920 | -0.230 | -20.00 | 516,205 |
| HSI-PWDK | 0.070 | 0.070 | 0.035 | 0.035 | -0.040 | -53.33 | 504,328 |
| EAH | 0.005 | 0.005 | 0.005 | 0.005 | 0.000 | 0.00 | 485,912 |
| HSI-CWCA | 0.145 | 0.220 | 0.140 | 0.215 | 0.080 | 59.26 | 426,754 |
| YBS | 0.765 | 0.765 | 0.470 | 0.595 | -0.175 | -22.73 | 383,015 |
| GENM | 2.280 | 2.410 | 2.270 | 2.410 | 0.140 | 6.17 | 298,112 |
| ARMADA | 0.645 | 0.650 | 0.610 | 0.630 | -0.015 | -2.33 | 285,678 |
Dangers of ketamine addiction as Emily Willis ‘left disabled’ – including ‘ket bladder’
