Kyle Busch: ‘Chain of Events’ Led to NASCAR Star’s Sudden Death, Death Certificate Reveals, As Sinus and Pneumonia Are Revealed As Major Causes

Kyle Busch reportedly developed sepsis just a day before a sudden buildup of blood clots caused fatal bleeding and severe blood loss, according to a death certificate obtained by Us Weekly. Busch died on May 21 at the age of 41 after being rushed to a hospital near Charlotte, North Carolina, when he became unresponsive while test-driving a race simulator.

It was later revealed that the married father of two had been suffering from pneumonia, which eventually developed into sepsis. Now, new details from a North Carolina medical examiner are shedding more light on the circumstances surrounding Busch’s sudden death. It has been revealed that Busch died from multiple reasons.

Chain Reaction to Death

The sepsis caused Busch’s blood to clot, restricting blood flow to his organs and ultimately sending him into hemorrhagic shock, according to Us Weekly. The death certificate also states that Busch was cremated in Mooresville, North Carolina.

The medical examiner’s findings appear to support details from a May 20 911 call, during which Busch was reportedly coughing up blood.

Busch was initially suffering from shortness of breath and felt extremely hot, according to the caller. “[He] thinks he’s going to pass out, and he’s producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood,” the caller told the dispatcher.

The caller repeatedly assured emergency operators that Busch was still conscious, saying: “He is awake. He’s awake. He’s awake.”

911 audio indicated that Busch was lying on the bathroom floor of the facility while employees waited for paramedics to arrive. He was later taken to a hospital, where he died the following day.

Earlier that month, Busch had also been dealing with a sinus issue during a NASCAR Cup Series race in Watkins Glen, New York. Near the end of the event on May 10, he radioed his pit crew asking for assistance from longtime stock car racing physician’s assistant Bill Heisel.

“Can somebody try to find Bill Heisel?” Busch asked the Richard Childress Racing crew. “He’s the [inaudible] doctor guy. Tell him I need him after the race, please… I’m gonna need a shot.”

Gone Too Soon

Busch went on to finish eighth in the race and later told The Athletic on May 16 that he was still dealing with a cold ahead of the May 23 All-Star race in Dover, Delaware. It remains unclear what kind of treatment, if any, Heisel provided at the track.

Heisel has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Although Busch referred to him as a “doctor” rather than a physician’s assistant, there have been no allegations that Heisel misrepresented his credentials or role.

Busch had been battling a sinus cold that became worse because of the intense G-forces and elevation changes at the Watkins Glen road course in upstate New York, according to the race broadcast.

Despite the issue, Busch brushed it off and won his fifth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory just days later on May 15. After his death, an emotional clip from his post-race interview resurfaced online.

Following his 69th career Truck Series win at Dover, Busch was asked how many more races he hoped to win before eventually stepping away from racing.

“You take whatever you can get, man,” Busch said. “You never know when the last one is going to be, so cherish them all – trust me.”

Busch and his wife were outspoken supporters of in vitro fertilization, a process that helped them have their two children, Brexton and Lennix.

In a November episode of her podcast, Samantha revealed that she had preserved embryos in case she ever decided to have another child.