Author E. Lynn Harris, who passed away last week, died of a heart attack, according to the assistant chief in the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
Harris died Thursday, July 23, during a business trip to Los Angeles. The former sales executive had become a best-selling author of novels about gay African-American men, after self-publishing his debut novel in 1991, “Invisible Life.”
Travelling last week to negotiate the sale of television rights to his books, Harris fainted on the train to Los Angeles, according to Essence magazine. He recovered, but fell ill again during a business meeting, according to Essence.
Ed Winter, of the L.A. coroner’s office, which conducted an autopsy, said Harris died of a heart attack, brought on by “hypertensive ateriosclerotic cardio-vascular disease.” He said there were no other contributing factors, other than a history of diabetes.
A memorial tribute will be held Friday at Philadelphia book store Giovanni’s Room.
Harris' funeral will take place Saturday at 1 p.m., at Gaines Street Baptist Church, 1601 S. Gaines St. in Little Rock. Family hour will take place from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m., according to spokeswoman Ruth King. Ruffin and Jarrett Funeral Home, of Little Rock, is handling the funeral arrangements, said King.
According to Harris’ Web site, a memorial service is planned for Atlanta some time next month.
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