Emily Willis, born Litzy Lara Banuelos, became a household name in the adult entertainment industry. In early 2024, at age 25, she entered Summit Malibu, a private rehabilitation facility, to treat a severe ketamine addiction. According to court documents, she was consuming five to six grams of ketamine daily before her admission. This amount is considered potentially lethal and indicates a profound substance use disorder.
Willis sought help for not only her addiction but also for complex mental health issues, including PTSD. Major depressive disorder, anxiety, and night terrors. Her family claims that she was already in a fragile state. Weighing just 100 pounds and suffering from bladder inflammation and other health complications when she arrived at the facility.
Allegations of Medical Negligence and the Lawsuit
Shortly after her admission, Emily Willis suffered a cardiac arrest at the rehab centre. A nurse found her unconscious, and emergency responders performed CPR for 30 to 40 minutes. Despite their efforts, Willis suffered irreversible brain damage due to a prolonged lack of oxygen. Leaving her in a permanent vegetative state and later diagnosed with locked-in syndrome.
Willis’s mother, Yesenia Lara Cooper, filed a lawsuit against Summit Malibu and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centres LLC. The suit alleges abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, general negligence, and fraudulent business practices. The family argues that the clinic failed to follow California laws protecting vulnerable adults and misrepresented its ability to manage complex addiction cases.
The complaint claims that staff ignored clear signs of Willis’s deteriorating health for several days. Failed to call 911 or send her to a hospital, and denied her proper medical attention. The lawsuit also states that the facility did not consult a dietitian despite Willis being underweight and neglected to provide safe conditions and adequate care.
The Current Legal Battle and June Hearing
The Emily Willis update centres on a critical legal development. A hearing is set for June 18, 2025, at the Los Angeles Superior Court. The court will review motions to strike and a demurrer, which are legal challenges to the sufficiency of the lawsuit. The outcome of this hearing will determine if the case proceeds or if parts of it will be dismissed.
Summit Malibu’s legal team has argued that the complaint lacks sufficient factual evidence and that Willis was not a dependent adult under California law. The judge has given Willis’s mother a 30-day deadline to provide more detailed evidence supporting her claims. If she fails to meet this requirement, the case risks dismissal.
The upcoming hearing is a pivotal moment for the family as they seek accountability and justice for Willis’s condition. The legal team is preparing to present evidence that the rehab centre had a legal duty to provide proper care and that their alleged negligence led to Willis’s permanent disability.
Emily Willis’s Health and Family’s Struggle
Since the incident, Emily Willis has been left in a state described as locked-in syndrome. She cannot move or speak but remains conscious and can move her eyes. The condition is rare and devastating, with very few cases of full recovery. Willis is currently receiving long-term care at a facility in Utah.
The family has provided occasional updates on her condition through a GoFundMe page. In May 2024, they reported that Willis was showing signs of responsiveness, such as eye tracking, but she remains unable to communicate. Earlier, her stepfather mentioned that she had awakened from a vegetative state and was displaying emotional reactions, but there have been no significant improvements since then.
The family’s lawsuit seeks not only compensation but also aims to highlight systemic issues in luxury rehab centres. They argue that such facilities often lack proper medical staffing and emergency protocols, putting vulnerable patients at risk.
Industry Implications and Broader Impact
The Emily Willis update has sparked a broader conversation about oversight and accountability in high-end rehabilitation centres. Legal experts suggest that this case could lead to stricter regulations, ensuring that treatment centres provide adequate medical supervision for patients with complex needs.
The case has drawn attention from advocacy groups and the public, who are watching closely to see if the court will hold the facility accountable. The outcome may set a precedent for how rehab centres are expected to care for patients with severe addictions and mental health challenges.
As the June hearing approaches, supporters and observers await further developments. The Emily Willis update remains a stark reminder of the potential consequences of inadequate care in rehabilitation settings and the importance of robust legal protections for vulnerable individuals.