Officials: Model Died After Chiropractic Procedure
The cause of death was ruled "vertebral artery dissection."
— -- Katie May, a Playboy model and so-called "queen of Snapchat," died in February after visiting a chiropractor’s office for a neck adjustment, officials said.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner told ABC Los Angeles station KABC-TV that May’s death was due to "vertebral artery dissection," or a manipulation of the neck.
Before her death, May, 34, tweeted: “Pinched a nerve in my neck on a photoshoot and got adjusted this morning. It really hurts!”
Days later, she tweeted again: “It still hurts. Going back to chiropractor tomorrow.”
According to officials, when May returned for that subsequent visit, the chiropractor tore one of her arteries during a neck manipulation, cutting off blood flow to her brain and causing a stroke. She died a few days later at the hospital, leaving behind her 7-year-old daughter Mia.
Her two sisters, Jenny McKerrow and Megan Mitchell, spoke to Pittsburgh ABC affiliate, WTAE, about the tragic loss. "We got a call and by the time my parents got out to L.A., the next day, she was on life support," McKerrow said while fighting back tears.
ABC News' requests for comment to the chiropractor were not answered.
In a statement, the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners said it is "aware of the incident and is conducting an investigation," adding that the doctor "has an active license and has no disciplinary actions against him."
"Your heart sinks because you feel like it was preventable," said Mitchell. "We don't want Katie's death to be in vain."
Doctors say these types of accidents are rare but can be very serious when they do happen.
"It should make us all step back and ask our doctors, 'Well, what are the risks to all the procedures?’” Dr. Manuel Momjian, a family medicine specialist, told ABC News.
The late model’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for May's daughter.