Michael Robert Lawrence was a promising film editor who worked on the popular television show It’s a Living. He was also the son of famous singers Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, who formed the duo Steve and Eydie in the 1950s and 1960s. However, his life was cut short at the age of 23 by a rare and undiagnosed heart condition. Here is what we know about his tragic death and how it affected his family and friends.
The Day He Died
According to UPI, Michael Lawrence died on February 4, 1986, at his apartment in Los Angeles. He was found by his girlfriend, who called 911. Paramedics arrived and tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene
His parents, Steve and Eydie, were in Atlanta, Georgia, at the time of his death, having performed at the Fox Theater the night before. They flew back to Los Angeles as soon as they heard the news. They were devastated by the loss of their son, who was their only child together. They also had a daughter, Victoria, from Steve’s previous marriage
The Cause of Death
An autopsy was performed on Michael Lawrence’s body, but it failed to establish the exact cause of his death. The coroner’s spokesman, Bob Dambacher, said that there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol in his system, and that his death was due to natural causes
However, a month later, the coroner’s office released a final report that revealed the specific cause of his death. According to UPI, Michael Lawrence died of ventricular fibrillation, which is a type of cardiac arrhythmia that causes the heart to stop pumping blood. The report also stated that he had an abnormal heart function, which was likely a congenital defect that he was unaware of
Ventricular fibrillation is a rare and unpredictable condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age or health. It can be triggered by various factors, such as stress, physical exertion, or medication. It can also be caused by underlying heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, or heart valve problems.
The only effective treatment for ventricular fibrillation is defibrillation, which is the application of an electric shock to the chest to restore the normal rhythm of the heart. However, this has to be done within minutes of the onset of the condition, otherwise, the chances of survival are very low.
The Legacy He Left Behind
Michael Lawrence was a talented and passionate film editor who had a bright future ahead of him. He had worked on several projects, including the movies The Flamingo Kid and The Sure Thing, and the TV shows The Fall Guy and It’s a Living. He was also a musician and a songwriter, who had composed some songs for his parents
He was loved and admired by his family, friends, and colleagues, who remembered him as a kind, generous, and creative person. His death was a huge shock and a great loss for everyone who knew him. His parents, Steve and Eydie, dedicated their album One More for the Road to him, and also established a scholarship fund in his name at the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television
Michael Lawrence’s cause of death was a tragic and unfortunate event that could not have been prevented or predicted. He died of a rare heart condition that he was born with, but never diagnosed with. He was a young man who had a lot to offer to the world, but his life was cut short by a cruel twist of fate. He will always be remembered as a son, a brother, a friend, and a talented artist.
