If you’ve spent any time online over the last year, you’ve probably seen the name Emily Willis trending. It usually pops up alongside some pretty heavy words like "coma," "rehab," and "cardiac arrest." For a while, the internet was a mess of rumors and speculation. Some people were claiming she’d passed away; others were whispering about overdoses.
The truth is much more complicated—and honestly, quite a bit more tragic.
Emily Willis, whose real name is Litzy Lara Banuelos, didn't just disappear. She suffered a catastrophic medical event in early 2024 that has left her in a state most of us can't even fathom. She is currently battling what her family and lawyers describe as a "locked-in" state, where her mind is present, but her body won't follow orders.
The Morning Everything Changed at Summit Malibu
The timeline here is crucial because it’s currently the center of a massive legal battle. On January 27, 2024, Emily checked into Summit Malibu, a high-end rehabilitation center in California. She was there to get help for a ketamine addiction.
According to a lawsuit later filed by her family, Emily was clean when she arrived. She wanted to be there. She was ready to turn a page. But just eight days later, on February 4, a nurse practitioner found her unresponsive.
She had suffered a massive cardiac arrest.
The details of that morning are harrowing. Reports indicate that paramedics and staff performed CPR for nearly 40 minutes before they finally got her heart beating again. In the world of medicine, 40 minutes is an eternity. When the heart stops for that long, the brain is starved of oxygen—a condition known as an anoxic brain injury.
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By the time Emily was stabilized, the damage was already done.
Understanding the "Locked-In" Diagnosis
For months, Emily was in a vegetative coma. Her family, including her stepfather Michael Willis and her mother Yesenia Cooper, sat by her bed in Thousand Oaks, California, just waiting for a sign.
Eventually, she woke up. But "waking up" didn't mean she was back to her old self.
What is Locked-In Syndrome?
It’s a rare neurological disorder that sounds like something out of a horror movie. Basically, the patient is fully conscious and aware of their surroundings, but they are almost completely paralyzed.
- Voluntary muscles: Total paralysis of the limbs and face.
- Communication: Usually limited to vertical eye movements and blinking.
- Cognition: The brain functions normally; they can think, hear, and see.
In Emily's case, her lawyer, James Morris, has described her life as being in a "jail you can’t escape." While she has shown some small improvements—tracking people with her eyes, making audible noises, and even smiling or showing emotion—she remains "permanently disabled."
The legal team is still working with experts to determine exactly how much she understands. It’s a fluid situation. Some days she seems more "there" than others. Her mother, who now provides 24/7 care for her at their home in Utah, insists there is a connection. She feels she can communicate with her daughter in ways that a medical chart can't capture.
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The Lawsuit: Fraud, Negligence, and the Fight for Accountability
You might wonder why a 25-year-old woman in a supervised medical facility would just drop dead of a heart attack. That’s exactly what the lawsuit against Summit Malibu and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers, is trying to answer.
The family isn't just suing for medical bills; they are alleging professional negligence and even fraudulent business practices.
The filings claim that Emily was severely malnourished when she entered rehab, weighing only about 80 to 100 pounds. Despite this, the lawsuit alleges the facility didn't give her a proper consultation with a dietitian. They also claim she was suffering from a urinary tract infection and dehydration that went untreated in the days leading up to her collapse.
The facility, for its part, has denied these claims. They’ve argued that they followed protocols. But the family’s legal team points to those 40 minutes of resuscitation as proof that something went horribly wrong long before the paramedics arrived.
Life in Utah: The Current Reality
Emily is no longer in a hospital. She’s home.
In late 2025 and heading into 2026, the focus shifted from "will she survive" to "how can we sustain her." She is bedridden. She has lost a significant amount of weight, making her extremely frail. Because her nervous system was so badly damaged, she needs help with every single human function.
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It’s expensive. Incredibly so.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched early on and has raised over $100,000, but when you’re talking about round-the-clock nursing care, physical therapy, and specialized equipment, that money vanishes quickly. The family has been incredibly transparent, sharing updates when they can, but they’ve also asked for privacy as they navigate the "most difficult part of the state she's in."
Common Misconceptions About the Case
There is a lot of bad info out there. Let's clear some of it up.
- "It was an overdose." Early reports from TMZ suggested an overdose because she was in rehab. However, the family has stated that toxicology reports were negative for drugs. Her heart stopped, but it wasn't because of a fix.
- "She’s in a vegetative state." This was true initially. But as of 2026, the diagnosis has moved toward "locked-in" or "minimally conscious." She is awake. She sees you.
- "She’s passed away." No. Emily Willis is alive and fighting.
What’s Next for Emily?
The road ahead is paved with court dates and medical consultations. A trial is currently set to take place in Santa Monica in May 2026. This trial will likely reveal more about what actually happened inside that rehab facility during those eight days in February 2024.
For those looking to support or follow the case, the most reliable information comes directly from her family's GoFundMe updates or through official statements from the Morris Law Firm.
If you want to help, the family still accepts donations for her long-term care. Beyond the money, they’ve asked for people to keep her in their thoughts. It’s a reminder that behind the "adult star" headline is a 27-year-old woman, Litzy, whose life was changed in an instant.
Actionable Insights for Supporting the Cause:
- Verify before sharing: Avoid spreading "death hoax" rumors which cause immense distress to her mother and siblings.
- Check the GoFundMe: If you want to contribute to her medical bills, ensure you are using the official "Support Emily Willis's Journey to Recovery" page organized by Michael Willis.
- Support Brain Injury Awareness: Emily’s story is a tragic example of anoxic brain injury. Organizations like the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) provide resources for families dealing with similar "locked-in" diagnoses.