Brian Wilson’s cause of death has been disclosed, two weeks after he died at 82.
The Beach Boys co-founder passed away from “respiratory arrest,” according to his death certificate obtained by TMZ on Thursday, June 26.
Respiratory arrest occurs when the lungs stop functioning, but the heart is still beating, which prevents those affected from receiving oxygen, according to the American CPR Care Association.
Sepsis and cystitis were also listed on the death certificate, per TMZ. Both are infection issues.
Other associated factors reportedly included obstructive sleep apnea, neurodegenerative disorder, chronic respiratory failure and chronic kidney disease.
Wilson died on June 11, the same day that his family announced his passing.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” his family shared on Instagram. “We are at a loss for words right now.”
They asked for respect and privacy “as our family is grieving.” Wilson’s loved ones concluded, “We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.”
The star’s daughter, Carnie Wilson, broke her silence on his death one day later.
“I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now,” she wrote in her emotional message, posting a throwback image of herself with Brian and her sister, Wendy Wilson.
Calling her father “every fiber of my body,” Carnie said, “He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends. I am lucky to have been his daughter and had a soul connection with him that will live on always.”
“But I know he’s resting up there in heaven,” the Wilson Phillips singer added, “or maybe playing the piano for Grandma Audree his Mom. I will post something else soon but this is all my hands will let me type.”
“I love you Daddy … I miss [you so much] already.”
John Stamos, who’s played the drums and guitar with The Beach Boys for 40 years, exclusively told The Post that he broke the news of Wilson’s death to their bandmate Mike Love, who was not only a co-founder of the group but also Wilson’s cousin.
“I was with Mike, I got off the plane, and I got the text,” the “Full House” star, 61, shared at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 12.
“And we sat in the car for 2½ hours or so … he didn’t say one word,” Stamos explained. “And I didn’t ask him anything, ask him how he was feeling. I knew how he was feeling.”
He concluded: “Without Brian Wilson, life would be a mistake. It’s been a big blow to all of us.”
The Beach Boys also released a statement about Wilson’s passing, labeling him the “soul” of their surf rock sound.
“The world mourns a genius today, and we grieve for the loss of our cousin, our friend, and our partner in a great musical adventure,” the band wrote in their tribute post. “Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys—he was the soul of our sound. The melodies he dreamed up and the emotions he poured into every note changed the course of music forever.”
“His unparalleled talent and unique spirit created the soundtrack of so many lives around the globe, including our own,” they added. “Together, we gave the world the American dream of optimism, joy, and a sense of freedom—music that made people feel good, made them believe in summer and endless possibilities.”
In February 2024, his family revealed that the “In My Room” singer was suffering from dementia and had been placed under conservatorship.
The decision was prompted by the death of Wilson’s wife, Melinda Ledbetter, who died in January 2024 at age 77.
“Following the passing of Brian’s beloved wife Melinda, after careful consideration and consultation among Brian, his seven children, Gloria Ramos and Brian’s doctors (and consistent with family processes put in place by Brian and Melinda), we are confirming that longtime Wilson family representatives LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as Brian’s co-conservators of the person,” the family wrote on the musician’s Instagram.
They added: “This decision was made to ensure that there will be no extreme changes to the household and Brian and the children living at home will be taken care of and remain in the home where they are cared for by Gloria Ramos and the wonderful team at the house who have been in place for many years helping take care of the family.”
More to come…
Content shared from nypost.com.