Steve McQueen-Death

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McQueen died at the age of 50 in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, following an operation to remove or reduce several metastatic tumors in his neck and abdomen on November 7, 1980.

 

McQueen developed a persistent cough in 1978. He gave up smoking and underwent antibiotic treatments without improvement. Shortness of breath became more pronounced in December 1979.  After the filming of “The Hunter”, a biopsy revealed malignant mesothelioma.  By February 1980, there was evidence of widespread metastasis.  In July, McQueen traveled to Rosarito Beach for treatment.  U.S. doctors advised him that they could do nothing to help him.

 

Controversy arose over McQueen's Mexican trip.  McQueen had sought a very non-traditional treatment of coffee enemas, frequent shampoos, injection of live cells from cows and sheep, massage and laetrile, a "natural" anti-cancer drug available in Mexico.

 

McQueen was treated by William Donald Kelley, whose only medical license had been (until it was revoked in 1976) for orthodontics. Kelley's methods created a sensation in both the traditional and tabloid press when it became known that McQueen was a patient.

 

Kelley publicly announced McQueen would be completely cured and return to normal life. However, McQueen's condition worsened and "huge" tumors developed in his abdomen. In October 1980, McQueen flew to Ciudad Juárez to have the five-pound abdominal tumors removed.  Despite the warnings of his U.S. doctors that the tumor was inoperable and that his heart wouldn’t withstand the surgery. McQueen checked into a Juarez clinic under the assumed name of "Sam Shepard" where doctors at the small, low-income clinic were unaware of his real identity. McQueen died of cardiac arrest one day after the operation to remove the large tumor from his neck. 

 

Shortly before his death, McQueen was given a medical interview in which he blamed his condition on asbestos exposure. While McQueen felt that asbestos used in movie soundstage insulation and race-drivers' protective suits and helmets could have been involved.  McQueen believed his illness was a direct result of massive exposure from removing asbestos lagging from pipes aboard a troop ship during his time in the Marines.

 

A memorial service was presided over by Leonard DeWitt of the Ventura Missionary Church.  McQueen was cremated. His ashes were spread in the Pacific Ocean.