Former adult star Emily Willis, once one of the most celebrated figures in the adult entertainment industry, has been left permanently disabled following a controversial rehabilitation stint in Malibu. The 25-year-old, whose real name is Litzy Lara Banuelos, had sought treatment for a severe ketamine addiction at Summit Malibu, a luxury rehab center.
However, what was supposed to be a step toward recovery turned into a nightmare for her and her family. A lawsuit filed in December 2024 alleges gross negligence on the part of the facility, which ultimately led to Willis suffering a cardiac arrest, severe brain damage, and a “vegetative coma” from which she has yet to fully recover.
The Rise and Fall of Emily Willis
Emily Willis rose to fame rapidly in the adult entertainment industry, earning the coveted Performer of the Year award at the AVN Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of Porn.”
Her journey into the industry began in 2018 when a boyfriend she met on Tinder convinced her to explore opportunities in adult films. With her striking looks, youthful energy, and fearless performances, Willis quickly became a fan favorite, earning multiple industry accolades.
Despite her professional success, Emily Willis struggled with personal demons. She was diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, leading her to seek relief through various means. Over time, she became heavily dependent on ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic known for its hallucinogenic effects.
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Reports suggest she was consuming five to six grams of the drug daily for a year, which led to severe health complications, including bladder inflammation, night terrors, and urinary incontinence.
Adult star Emily Willis, 25, suffered devastating brain damage and was permanently disabled after cardiac arrest during ketamine addiction treatment at Summit Malibu.
— DramaAlert (@DramaAlert) January 30, 2025
Her family is now suing. pic.twitter.com/pq9slOfjSZ
Recognizing the dangers of her addiction, Willis made the decision to seek help. In January 2024, she checked into Summit Malibu, a high-end rehab center known for its luxurious accommodations and promises of specialized care. However, rather than receiving the treatment she needed, her health took a drastic turn for the worse.
The Tragic Downfall: Allegations Against Malibu Rehab Facility
According to the lawsuit filed by her family in Los Angeles County Superior Court (Cooper v. Malibu Treatment Centers and Summit Malibu, Case No. 24SMCV06328), the rehab facility failed to provide Willis with adequate medical supervision.
Despite their contractual obligation to closely monitor her condition, reports indicate that her health rapidly declined in the days following her admission.
The lawsuit claims that Emily Willis was left unattended for an undetermined period, during which she suffered a cardiac arrest. A nurse practitioner eventually found her unconscious in February 2024 but failed to act immediately. Instead of transferring her to a hospital, the facility reportedly delayed medical intervention.
When paramedics finally arrived, they performed CPR for 30 to 40 minutes before restoring a heartbeat. Unfortunately, the prolonged oxygen deprivation caused irreversible brain damage, leaving Willis in what doctors described as a “vegetative coma.”
Attorney James A. Morris Jr., representing Willis and her guardian Yesenia Lara Cooper, condemned the facility’s negligence, stating:
“Had the staff followed standard medical protocols, Emily would have had the opportunity to regain control of her life. No patient should ever be subjected to such a horrendous breakdown in clinical care. Her health was ignored until it was too late, and now her life is forever changed.”
Court documents reveal further alarming details about Willis’ condition before her collapse. She reportedly became frail, disoriented, and struggled to walk, while also experiencing extreme dehydration, tremors, spasms, and unexplained vaginal pain.
Despite these obvious signs of medical distress, the facility allegedly failed to take necessary action, leaving the decision of seeking urgent care up to Willis, who was already incapacitated by her condition.
Adding to the mystery, drug tests conducted at Summit Malibu consistently showed no traces of ketamine or any other substances in her system. This finding contradicts her rapidly deteriorating health and raises serious concerns about the rehab center’s handling of her treatment.
Emily Willis’ Current Condition and Legal Battle
Following her cardiac arrest, Willis was transferred to a long-term care facility in Utah, where she remains under constant medical supervision. Reports indicate that she has regained some level of consciousness and can follow objects with her eyes. However, she remains unable to speak or move, effectively leaving her in a state of permanent disability.
Her family’s lawsuit against Summit Malibu and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centres, LLC, seeks justice for what they describe as a preventable tragedy. They argue that the facility’s gross negligence, fraudulent business practices, and failure to provide adequate medical care directly resulted in Willis’ catastrophic condition.
The case has sparked widespread debate over the accountability of luxury rehab centers, many of which charge exorbitant fees while failing to deliver the level of care they promise. The lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the rehabilitation industry, particularly in holding facilities accountable for patient welfare.
For now, Emily Willis’ future remains uncertain. What was once a promising career has been tragically cut short, leaving her family to fight an uphill legal battle in hopes of obtaining justice.
Whether the lawsuit will bring about systemic changes in rehab care remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Willis’ story serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking within the addiction recovery industry.