Canadian-American actress Catherine O’Hara’s death has been confirmed to be caused by pulmonary embolism, a condition in which blood clots block the blood vessels in the lungs. Her death certificate lists this as the immediate cause.
The long-term cause of her death was noted as rectal cancer. O’Hara passed away at the age of 71 on January 30 at a hospital in Los Angeles.
According to documents, she had been undergoing treatment for cancer since March 2025. O’Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch, two sons Matthew and Luke, and six siblings.
Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening as blood clots in the lungs can severely restrict oxygen flow. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, chest pain, and sometimes a cough with blood.
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