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Preliminary forensic results in the District of Columbia showed that Republican Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham died from an aortic rupture caused by atherosclerotic and vascular disease, according to a statement released by his office on Sunday.

This occurs when the aorta is damaged or has a leak.

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The statement added that the death certificate will remain pending until all toxicology and microscopic tests are completed.

At that point, the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and classify the manner of death appropriately, according to the Associated Press.

71 years old

This came after Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump, died Saturday at the age of 71 after contracting a 'sudden' illness, according to his office's announcement on Sunday.

The statement said: 'U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham died Saturday evening, July 11, after a sudden, brief illness,' adding that 'his family (...) asks for privacy during this difficult time.'

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Meanwhile, NBC News reported that emergency services received a call Saturday evening regarding a 'cardiac arrest' case at Graham's home in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Washington, according to police dispatch recordings reviewed by the network and other media.

Graham was scheduled to appear on NBC's 'Meet the Press' Sunday morning.

Flags lowered to half-staff in mourning

For his part, Trump said in a phone interview with the program that Graham was a natural, hardworking politician, skilled in dealing with representatives of both major parties in the United States. He added that the senator 'was wonderful and unique in every way.'

He also mentioned that he spoke to him Saturday evening, as the senator returned from a trip to Ukraine, and revealed that the latter seemed tired and noted preparations for a meeting between them that could have been held Sunday. He continued: 'That might have been his last call.'

Later, Trump ordered via his platform 'Truth Social' that American flags be flown at half-staff across the country in mourning.

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