Pulmonary embolism and rectal cancer: what’s known after Catherine O’Hara death certificate details

New information released Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, clarified the medical circumstances surrounding the death of actor and comedian Catherine O’Hara, whose sudden passing last month was initially described only as a brief illness. A Los Angeles County death certificate lists a pulmonary embolism as the immediate cause of death, with rectal cancer identified as the underlying condition.

O’Hara died on Jan. 30, 2026, at age 71, at a hospital in Santa Monica, California. The death certificate was issued Feb. 9, 2026, and indicates she had been under oncology care since March 2025.

Death certificate: cause and timeline

The certificate describes a pulmonary embolism, a blockage in a lung artery typically caused by a blood clot that travels from elsewhere in the body. Rectal cancer is listed as the long-term underlying cause, linking the fatal event to a cancer-associated risk that physicians have long recognized.

The document also notes the treating oncologist last saw O’Hara on Jan. 27, 2026, three days before her death. No additional clinical details—such as staging, treatment type, or whether she recently underwent surgery—were included in the publicly circulated certificate summary.

Why cancer raises clot risk

A pulmonary embolism is one of the most dangerous outcomes in a broader category known as venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Cancer increases clot risk in several ways: it can make blood more prone to clotting, treatments can further elevate risk, and reduced mobility during illness or recovery can contribute.

This risk is not limited to one cancer type, but cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, including colorectal and rectal cancers, have long been included among malignancies associated with higher clot rates. The danger is that symptoms can be subtle at first and then escalate quickly.

What a pulmonary embolism can look like

Pulmonary embolism is often described as unpredictable because symptoms can vary and may overlap with other conditions. Some people have warning signs; others deteriorate rapidly.

Commonly cited red flags include:

• Sudden shortness of breath or rapid breathing

• Chest pain that may worsen with deep breathing

• Rapid heart rate, lightheadedness, or fainting

• Cough (sometimes with blood)

• Leg swelling or pain, especially in one leg (a possible sign of deep vein thrombosis)

Clinicians emphasize that symptoms depend on clot size and location, and on a patient’s underlying health—including whether cancer or recent procedures are in the picture.

Rectal cancer context and privacy

Rectal cancer is a form of colorectal cancer arising in the last portion of the large intestine. Publicly available information in this case indicates O’Hara’s diagnosis was not widely disclosed during her illness, and details such as treatment regimen and response have not been publicly confirmed.

The newly surfaced certificate information has prompted renewed attention not only to O’Hara’s legacy, but also to a broader medical reality: many cancers can carry hidden, serious complications beyond the tumor itself, including clotting events that may be preventable or treatable when recognized early.

What this moment highlights for cancer care

The medical takeaway being discussed widely in the days following the certificate’s release is the importance of clot awareness in cancer settings. In many patients, clinicians evaluate clot risk continuously—especially during hospitalization, after surgery, during chemotherapy, or when mobility is limited.

Preventive strategies can include blood-thinning medications for selected patients, compression devices during hospitalization, and close monitoring when symptoms arise. At the same time, doctors balance clot prevention against bleeding risk, which can also be elevated in cancer patients. That tension is one reason individual plans vary widely.

For the public, the renewed attention is likely to increase awareness of warning signs and the need to seek urgent care when symptoms suggest a possible clot—particularly for people living with cancer or undergoing treatment.

Sources consulted: Associated Press, People, European Society of Cardiology, National Institutes of Health