Emily Willis’ family says they have noticed small but deeply meaningful signs that suggest the former performer remains aware of the world around her despite suffering severe brain damage following a medical emergency in 2024.
Her mother, Yesenia Cooper, has described how Willis communicates through limited movements and facial responses while remaining unable to speak. The family says these signs have given them hope as she continues a demanding rehabilitation process.
Willis is currently receiving care and therapy in Mexico, where her family is exploring additional treatment options that they hope could help her regain greater independence.
Her Family Says She Can Still Communicate
According to Cooper, Willis remains non-verbal but can communicate in limited ways.
Speaking to TMZ, her mother said Emily can follow people with her eyes and shake her head. Cooper estimated that her daughter understands roughly 80% of what is happening around her.
The family has interpreted some of Willis’ emotional reactions as further indications that she remains aware of her surroundings.
Cooper said her daughter can sometimes scream or kick her out of frustration. For the family, those reactions are particularly significant because Willis has very limited ability to communicate verbally or move voluntarily.
However, whether these behaviors definitively demonstrate a particular neurological state cannot be established from family observations alone.
Willis Is Working to Regain Mobility
Willis is currently undergoing physical therapy in Mexico as she attempts to relearn how to walk.
Cooper told Daily Mail that the family is considering purchasing a home in Mexico because nursing care can be more affordable there and because they believe some treatments available in the country could potentially help Willis become more independent.
“They do things there that aren’t available here; maybe she can become more independent,” Cooper said.
Her mother also described the recovery as a day-by-day process, saying Emily is continuing to improve and is still fighting to live the best life possible.
There Have Been Small Signs of Progress
Although Willis continues to require around-the-clock assistance, her family says there have been encouraging changes.
She is reportedly able to sleep independently again and has started watching some of her favorite movies and television programs. She still requires help with eating and continues to work with physical therapists.
The family has also said Willis has undergone more than 10 surgeries since the medical emergency.
They are exploring the possibility of taking her to Spain for specialized neurological procedures that they hope could stimulate areas associated with speech, communication and movement. Those procedures should be regarded as potential future treatment rather than a confirmed medical plan or guaranteed route to recovery.
What Happened to Emily Willis?
Willis entered Summit Malibu in January 2024 while seeking treatment for ketamine addiction.
According to allegations made by her family in their lawsuit, her condition deteriorated during her time at the rehabilitation facility. Court filings cited symptoms including dehydration, tremors, chills, confusion and difficulty walking. Medical records described in the litigation reportedly characterized her as frail and disoriented.
On February 4, 2024, staff found Willis unconscious and without a pulse.
Paramedics and medical personnel performed prolonged resuscitation efforts, with reports saying her heartbeat was eventually restored after approximately 30 to 40 minutes of CPR and related efforts.
The prolonged lack of oxygen resulted in an anoxic brain injury.
Her family has said she remained unconscious for an extended period before eventually regaining consciousness and that doctors subsequently believed she had developed locked-in syndrome.
Her Brother Says the Family Still Has Questions
Willis’ younger brother, Michael Cooper, has also spoken about the family’s experience and its legal battle with the rehabilitation facility.
He said Emily entered treatment strong and determined to rebuild her life and that the family had no reason to expect something would go seriously wrong.
“She was strong going in and had a path forward. I had zero reason to think anything would go wrong,” he said.
Cooper has questioned how such a severe medical crisis could have happened while Emily was receiving professional care.
He also emphasized the difficulty of trying to understand what happened when Emily is unable to explain her experience herself.
Family Accused Summit Malibu of Negligence
Willis’ family filed a negligence lawsuit against Summit Malibu and its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers.
The lawsuit alleged that the facility failed to properly monitor Willis as her condition worsened and failed to transfer her to a hospital before she suffered the cardiac arrest.
The family also accused a clinician of leaving during a shift and later falsifying observation records.
Those allegations were disputed by the defendants.
The facility maintained that Willis had declined certain medical recommendations and had refused hospital treatment when it was encouraged, according to court filings.
$3 Million Settlement Was Approved
The legal dispute ultimately ended with a reported $3 million settlement, which was approved by a California judge.
Importantly, the settlement did not include an admission of liability, and the defendants continued to deny wrongdoing.
Because the case was resolved through a settlement rather than a trial verdict, the allegations in the family’s complaint should not be presented as judicially established facts.
The family’s legal resolution has nevertheless provided financial resources amid Willis’ continuing need for extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
The Family Continues to Hope for Recovery
Willis’ family previously launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover treatment, rehabilitation and other expenses associated with her long-term care.
In an update, relatives described her as “a cherished daughter, sister, and a beacon of light in the lives of all who know her.”
They also wrote that she was fighting “with every ounce of her remarkable strength and bravery.”
For her family, the ability to follow people with her eyes, respond with head movements and engage with familiar entertainment represents meaningful progress. Her recovery remains ongoing, however, and the extent of any future neurological improvement is uncertain.
