The death of American icon Maya Angelou left everyone at a sobering and heartbreaking standstill this week and fans across the globe have been both mourning her death and honoring her life with photos and videos of her famous moments. Now, the last bit of audio regarding her passing has been released as TMZ has published the 911 call made for Angelou.
In the two-minute long audio clip, Angelou’s nightly caretaker can be heard calling 911 and telling the operator that she believes the doctor has died.
“Yes, I need an ambulance ASAP. It’s for Dr. Maya Angelou. I think she has already passed but I’m not sure. She’s not responding,” said the caretaker.
When the operator asks the woman if she can perform CPR on Angelou until help arrives, the caretaker explains that Angelou did not want to be resuscitated if she died.
“She had said that she did not want that … I just sit for her at night, but the one who keeps all her paperwork, she’s on the way here now. But I know that I had heard her say that she did not want that. If something happens to just let her go,” continued the caretaker.
The 911 operator asked if Angelou had a Do Not Resuscitate order on hand, but her caretaker was unsure, and the operator went on to explain that they were legally bound to try to revive her until someone could present a DNR order.
However, Angelou was never resuscitated and she died Wednesday at the age of 86. – nicholas robinson
