AVN Award-winner Emily Willis is showing signs of recovery from a catastrophic brain injury sustained in 2024, according to her mother, Yesenia Cooper, who spoke with TMZ. This news follows a $3 million settlement reached in a negligence and malpractice lawsuit against Summit Malibu.

Recovery Progress and Communication

Willis, born Litzy Lara Banuelos, remains nonverbal but is able to communicate using her eyes and by shaking her head. Her mother, Yesenia Cooper, informed TMZ that Willis can understand approximately 80 percent of what is happening around her. TMZ also reported that Willis is currently learning to walk again and requires assistance with feeding. However, she is now able to sleep independently and has resumed watching movies and television shows she enjoys.

The 27-year-old former adult star suffered a cardiac arrest in January 2024, a month after checking into Summit Malibu for treatment of ketamine addiction. She was discovered unconscious at the facility, and it took nearly 40 minutes for paramedics to restore a pulse. This prolonged period without oxygen resulted in an anoxic brain injury. James A. Morris, the family’s attorney, stated in a previous court declaration that Willis suffered an “anoxic brain injury from which she will never recover” and that she "cannot move her body."

Cooper, who is Willis's legal guardian, told TMZ that her daughter is "slowly recovering" and is "improving, getting better day by day, and still fighting to live the best life possible."

Legal Settlement and Ongoing Treatment

The $3 million settlement was reached with Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Center, the facility where Willis suffered her injury. Cooper had sued Malibu Lighthouse Treatment in 2024, alleging that the facility failed to provide proper care for Emily during her treatment for ketamine addiction at Summit Malibu. The defendants denied wrongdoing and did not admit liability as part of the settlement.

Willis had sought treatment for a daily ketamine habit of five to six grams. The family’s legal action followed reports from early 2024 that Willis had been found unresponsive in her room at the Malibu rehab center.

Willis has undergone more than 10 procedures to treat her brain damage. She is currently in Mexico, receiving treatment from "top-tier therapists." The family, according to TMZ, hopes to take Willis to Spain for experimental neurological procedures. These procedures are designed to stimulate bodily systems that control speech, communication, and motor function.

Background and Previous Achievements

Before her cardiac arrest and the subsequent period without oxygen, Emily Willis was a prominent figure in the adult industry. She won Performer of the Year at the 2021 AVN Awards. Willis later transitioned into mainstream acting, appearing in the sci-fi film "Divinity."

Key Facts

  • Emily Willis is slowly recovering from a catastrophic brain injury sustained in 2024.
  • Her family reached a $3 million settlement with Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Center following a negligence and malpractice lawsuit.
  • Willis remains nonverbal but communicates with her eyes and head movements, understanding approximately 80 percent of her surroundings.
  • She is currently in Mexico receiving treatment and has undergone more than 10 procedures.
  • The family plans to seek experimental neurological procedures in Spain to stimulate speech, communication, and motor function.
  • Willis suffered an anoxic brain injury after being without a pulse for nearly 40 minutes during treatment for ketamine addiction at Summit Malibu.