Harry Morton death: Hard Rock Cafe heir and Pink Taco founder died of heart condition, post-mortem examination finds

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.

Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.

Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.

Louise Thomas

Editor

Harry Morton, a restaurateur and heir to the Hard Rock Cafe franchise, died of a cardiac condition aged 38, a post-mortem examination has found.

Morton died suddenly in November last year.

A newly completed report by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner lists his cause of death as “probably cardiac arrhythmia” – also known as an irregular heartbeat.

The report also lists a second cause of “myocardial bridging with coronary artery atherosclerosis”. A myocardial bridge occurs when ”one or more of the coronary arteries goes through the heart muscle instead of lying on its surface”, according to Stanford Healthcare, and atherosclerosis happens when plaque builds up inside the arteries.

The findings echo statements made by Morton’s family shortly after his passing.

A family spokesperson told outlets at the time, including TMZ, that LA County authorities had found that Morton had died of coronary artery disease and a mildly enlarged heart.

The family also stated at the time according to another doctor and family friend, Morton suffered from calcification in three arteries.

Morton was the founder of the restaurant chain. He was also a past owner of the famed Viper Room nightclub.

His father Peter Morton co-founded the Hard Rock Cafe chain, and his grandfather Arnie Morton co-created Morton’s The Steakhouse.