An Autopsy Revealed the Cause of Actress Shonka Dukureh’s Death!

Updated On March 18, 2024 | Published By: Natalie | In Death , Health

The cause of Shonka Dukureh's death has been revealed. source: People

Actress Shonka Dukureh passed away at her Nashville apartment on July 21.
She was famous for playing Big Mama Thornton in the recently released Elvis Presley biopic.
Now, an autopsy revealed the cause of her death.

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Shonka Dukureh’s death was caused by natural causes

Actress Shonka Dukureh was found dead in her Nashville apartment on July 21.

Shonka played the role of Big Mama Thornton in the movie Elvis.

After a month, an autopsy revealed how the actress lost her life. Tennessee’s Davidson County Medical Examiner’s office revealed that the 44-year-old died from natural causes of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Hypertension is a simple term for high blood pressure.

Shonka Dukureh — Dukureh died of high blood pressure. source: People

John Hopkins Medical stated:

”Atherosclerosis describes the “thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery,”

Nashville Metropolitan Police Department said that the late actress was found lifeless in the bedroom of her Kothe Way apartment where she lived with her two small children.

One of her children ran to a neighbor’s apartment when they found her responsive that morning. The neighbor then called 911 at 9:27 a.m. After investigation, the police did not suspect any foul play in the aftermath of the actress’s death.

Also, Read What is the cause of Naomi Judd death? Autopsy Report!

Shonka was a teacher before she became famous

After her death was public, Nashville Mayor John Cooper released a statement in her honor. He said:

“My deepest condolences to the family of Shonka Dukureh. Shonka graduated from Fisk and called Nashville home for many years,”
“Her powerful voice and artistry will live on through her music, and we honor her memory on this sad day.”

Dukureh was a celebrated gospel singer in Nashville and she had just begun her career as an actress. She also loved being a teacher but had a great passion for acting too.

In June, after the release of Elvis, many of her students reached out to her praising her performance in the film.

Dukureh said:

“I taught second grade for a little while over at Buena Vista Elementary in Metro Schools, and then did a lot of work with inner city youth doing after-school programming, summer programming — those programs that we need during the break so that kids can have a positive place to be,”

Talking about how her students felt about her acting, she added:

“They’re blown away, like, ‘Wow! Miss Shonka! Really? I said, ‘I’m still Ms. Shonka, you know!’ “

The late actress also appeared onstage with Doja Cat at Coachella this year.

Also, Read RIP Joe E. Tata! Beverly Hills, Dies at 85! Find out the cause of death!

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