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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Johan Daviet, the father of little Lola found dead in a trunk in October 2022, has just died. Is it because of the grief caused by the murder of his 12-year-old daughter? Explanations from Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo.
It was a tragedy that shocked the whole of France. In October 2022, little Lola, 12 years old, was found in a trunk, dead, her body mutilated. After investigation, the main suspect was indicted for murder of a minor under 15 years old accompanied by torture or barbaric acts and for rape of a minor. The father of this child, Johan Daviet, has just died. Was he a victim of his grief?
Died of a heart attack at the age of 49
Lola’s father died a little over a year after his daughter, suffering a heart attack at the age of 49. The man had separated from his partner after the death of his daughter and lived with his mother in Pas-de-Calais. After three years of abstinence, he plunged back into alcohol following the tragedy.
Did he die of “tako-tsubo”, broken heart syndrome? Huge stress, in the face of an important emotion, can have an impact on the heart, which will no longer be able to contract. “Tako-tsubo syndrome, also known as stress cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome, occurs when a strong emotion, often related to a stressful or traumatic situation, triggers symptoms similar to a heart attack. describes Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo.
What are the consequences of grief from a cardiovascular point of view?
But according to our expert, this remains rare. “Intense, prolonged grief can have detrimental effects on physical and mental health, but it is usually difficult to die directly from grief. However, grief can contribute to health problems such as the stressdepression, anxiety, and even cardiovascular complications” he nuances.
According to our expert, “Grief can trigger an intense stress response, leading to a release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Prolonged stress can also contribute to cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease.. But not only : “THE grief prolonged can also weaken the immune system, which in turn can increase susceptibility to cardiovascular disease” adds Dr. Kierzek.
Grief, cause of resumption of addictive behavior?
Lola’s father had started drinking alcohol again, after three years of abstinence. Could the death of his daughter have pushed him back into his addiction? Yes according to the medical director of Doctissimo. “Some people may use addictive substancessuch as alcohol or drugs, to cope with grief and emotional pain”. But that’s not all. “Bereavement can also cause changes in eating habits, sometimes leading to overeating or an unbalanced diet, which can have health consequences.” specifies the expert.
More serious, the intense grief “can evolve into depressionwhich is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and can influence addictive behaviors generating a real vicious circle” concludes the doctor.