Former adult film star Emily Willis’ ex-partner has made an admission about her condition, with her legal team having confirmed that she remains permanently disabled and fully dependent on her family for care.
Willis, now 26, suffered a cardiac arrest in February 2023 while staying at a California rehabilitation facility. The medical emergency left her with severe neurological injuries, ending her wider entertainment ambitions and placing her under round-the-clock supervision.
Former Adult Star Remains Bedridden With Limited Movement
According to her attorney, James A. Morris of the Morris Law Firm, Willis continues to suffer from profound neurological impairment.
Willis pictured in 2023. Credit: Unique Nicole/Getty Images.
Morris told The Mirror US that Willis is still bedridden and unable to speak, although she can make sounds and limited movements. She now lives with and is cared for by her mother, Yesenia Cooper, in Utah.
Her family has filed a lawsuit against Summit Malibu, the rehab center where her cardiac arrest occurred, with the lawsuit citing "abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, negligence and fraudulent business practices," as reported by The Mirror US. Summit Malibu denies the allegations.
Morris said the case is moving forward: “Trial is set to take place in Santa Monica on May 6, 2026. We have additional hearings in February.”
Mike Majlak's Admission About Emily Willis' Condition
Since Willis' 2023 cardiac arrest, her ex, Mike Majlak, has appeared on several podcasts to speak about her condition.
In a 2024 episode of Steve-O's Wild Ride podcast, Majlak admitted: "It's bad, actually," when referring to Willis' current condition.
"She was incredible," he continued.
"We had a really great friendship and relationship but she had her own struggles, and she recently, while at rehab, fell into a coma, and she's been in a vegetative state," he said, adding that the pair were "very close".
Possible Diagnosis Still Under Review
Willis’ specific neurological diagnosis has not been publicly confirmed by her representatives. Earlier this year, speculation emerged that she may have locked-in syndrome, a rare condition caused by damage to the brainstem.
While her legal team has not verified this, Morris has acknowledged that it remains "a possibility" under investigation as they await a full medical diagnosis.
As previously reported, locked-in syndrome is most commonly associated with strokes but can also result from cardiac arrest due to the sudden loss of blood flow to the brain. Patients remain fully conscious yet unable to move or speak, with communication often limited to blinking or vertical eye movements.
Medical science expert Dr. Gareth Nye previously described the condition as one in which a patient is “aware of their surroundings and has full consciousness” but is almost completely paralyzed below the neck, according to Dublin Live.
There is no cure, but modern technology allows patients to communicate through eye-tracking devices, offering a path to maintain relationships and daily interactions.