Kath Wharton’s cause of death revealed after being found in McDonald’s parking lot

Former Kiwi rugby league player Kath Wharton suffered sudden cardiac arrest while snoozing in her car in McDonald's carpark in Auckland, authorities have confirmed, just hours after flying in from a long-haul flight from Japan.

The news comes more than nine months on from the singer's unexpected passing, which has since been explained to the public.

Coroner’s findings shed light on the tragic circumstances

Kath Wharton had a natural death and because there were no suspicious circumstances a criminal investigation will not be carried out, New Zealand's Ministry of Justice said. Pathologists carried out a post-mortem and found that Wharton had suffered a cardiac embolism while at rest following her flight.

Medical investigators also reported that Wharton at this point had also tested positive for COVID-19. The virus itself was not necessarily that specific cause, but taking fatigue, jet lag and lengthy immobilization into account, experts said it may have "uncovered" an existing heart problem. Produce may have led to the abrupt downfall.

A life of service on and off the field

Mother of four, Kath Wharton, was admired in the rugby league community. Repaying this investment on the field, the Kiwi Fern scored 138 career tries while playing 14 Internationals for New Zealand and featured prominently in NRL Women's Premiership games for the Warriors in 2019, alongside leading roles in Māori rugby and health promotion.

And helped, coached and mentored with Healthy Families NZ for everyone to be well wherever you are.Also Read: Rugby star Ilona Maher plans life after World Cup with bold move toward WWE and big screen successWharton arrived in Auckland a day before her death, on 21 November 2024, because her husband and the rest of the team travelled separately to New Zealand due to issues with a visa and passport for a teammate's child. About 12:10 p.m., Campbell texted her husband that she would catch a quick nap at McDonald's and then pick him up when his flight arrived.

After she didn't answer, he went out to the parking lot and ultimately found her dead in her car.

At 2:43 p.m., she was pronounced dead.The New Zealand rugby community was rocked by the news of Wharton's passing. Tributes flooded in, with many drawing attention to her significant impact on the sport and beyond. Crowley, known as a fierce competitor on the pitch and acts as a leader, mother, and advocate who inspires the next generation of players.