The cause of Keisha Nash’s death has been identified. The former actress, who was previously married to Forest Whitaker, passed away in Los Angeles on December 6, 2023, due to alcoholic liver disease, as indicated by her death certificate obtained by TMZ. She was 51 years old.
The death certificate reveals that Nash had battled the disease for “years” and highlights acute renal failure as another significant contributing factor to her demise. True, Nash’s daughter, Whitaker, served as the informant for her mother’s passing.
Forest Whitaker’s Ex-Wife Keisha Nash’s Cause of Death Unveiled (Credits: Radar Online)
A memorial service for the former model took place in Los Angeles on December 20, according to the official document. Forest Whitaker’s representative did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Tuesday.
True initially shared the news of her mother’s death on December 7 through an Instagram Story, expressing her grief with a heartfelt caption over a black-and-white photo of Nash. True, 25, conveyed her love and gratitude to her mother, calling her “the most beautiful woman in the world” and expressing appreciation for the life lessons she received. The post also featured lyrics from Donny Hathaway’s “A Song For You.” Deadline had confirmed Nash’s death with the family at that time.
Whitaker, 62, and Nash first crossed paths on the set of the 1994 film “Blown Away,” where she played his character’s girlfriend, according to CBS News. The couple got engaged the following year and tied the knot in 1996 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Alongside True, they shared another daughter, Sonnet, 27.
The Academy Award winner also has an older son named Ocean, 33, while Nash has Autumn, 32, from previous relationships. Whitaker filed for divorce from Nash in December 2018 after 22 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
In addition to her acting career, Nash was the visionary behind Kissable Couture, a luxury cosmetics line she co-founded with makeup artist A.J. Crimson. In a 2008 interview with The Oprah Magazine, Nash discussed her ambition and entrepreneurial spirit, sharing her past attempts at starting a children’s clothing line while prioritizing her role as a mother when her kids were younger.
