Kimbo Slice reportedly needed a heart transplant
Kevin Ferguson died at 7:30 p.m. on Monday as doctors were preparing him for transfer to a facility in Cleveland, where he could be placed on an organ donor list.
Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson died on June 6, leaving behind his six children, his wife Antionette Ray, and a stunned mixed martial arts world. One of the first questions was how he died at only 42 years old. Now Linda J. Trischitta and Wells Dusenbury for the Sun Sentinel have reported on the dire medical problems he faced.
Ferguson had been diagnosed with heart failure and needed a transplant. He was admitted to Northwest Medical Center in Margate on Friday, complaining of severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath and nausea, according to information the hospital reported to the Broward County medical examiner.
Ferguson was found to have a liver mass and congestive heart failure, and was placed on a ventilator in intensive care, according to the report.
As Ferguson’s condition declined, doctors advised his family he would need a heart transplant, the report states.
He died at 7:30 p.m. on Monday as doctors were preparing him for transfer to a facility in Cleveland, where he could be placed on an organ donor list.
The report also stated Slice had no history of illicit drug use, and trauma and foul play were not suspected in his death.
Slice’s most recent fight was on Feb. 19, when he faced Dhafir Harris, known as DaDa 5000, in Bellator 149. Following his third-round TKO victory, Slice was found to have elevated testosterone levels and tested positive for the steroid nandrolone.
Slice owned a five-bedroom home with a pool in a gated community in western Coral Springs, where he and his family reportedly lived a quiet life. The Bahamian native, who moved to South Florida as a child, was known for attending his children’s high school sports events and was often seen around town in local restaurants and elsewhere. Numerous acquaintances said Slice didn’t live an ostentatious lifestyle; he was seen as low-key and often posed with fans and neighbors for photos.
Recently married, Slice is survived by his wife and six children; he often credited his MMA career for allowing him to send his kids to college.
One of his three sons, Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson, made his MMA debut in March.
