In tragic news, Eric Garner’s 27-year-old daughter Erica Garner has been declared brain dead after suffering her second heart attack this year. More inside…
This year ends on a tragic note for Eric Garner’s family.
Doctors have declared his 27-year-old daughter Erica Garner brain dead 5-days after she suffered a massive heart attack.
According to the NY Daily News, Woodhull Hospital doctors reached out to the family early Thursday morning so they could come down and say their final goodbyes to the mother-of-two. She welcomed a baby boy in August of this year whom she named after her late father. She also has an 8-year-old daughter.
“She’s not gone, she’s brain dead,” Erica’s mother Esaw Snipes said. “Physically she is still with us.”
Erica has been hospitalized in ICU for the last five days after an asthma attack triggered her most recent heart attack on Christmas Eve.
The activist suffered her first heart attack a few months ago, following the birth of her son. It’s reported the pregnancy put a strain on her heart, which doctors discovered was enlarged. She had not been aware of her heart’s condition.
Erica became an activist after her father Eric Garner was killed in 2014 when NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo placed him in a chokehold on Staten Island. His death sparked nationwide outrage and launched Erica to take action in memory of her father.
While her condition doesn’t seem to be improving as of now, her family is still holding out hope. Famed journalist Shaun King tweeted an update on Erica's condition today:
I just visited the hospital to see Erica Garner and family.
She has not passed away.
She does have limited brain function but doctors say they see some activity. Her condition is no doubt critical, but the family was encouraged this afternoon.
Do not write her obituary.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) December 28, 2017
We're keeping the Garner family in our prayers.
Photo: Getty
