Samuel Monroe Jr. remains on life support in a Los Angeles hospital as his family waits for additional brain scans before making what they have described as an extremely difficult decision about his care.
The 52-year-old actor remains in a medically induced coma after months of serious health complications involving meningitis, MRSA pneumonia and other conditions.
His wife, Shawna Stewart, told TMZ in an August 8th update that Monroe’s brain continues to swell and that doctors have warned his family about the possibility that he may not regain meaningful consciousness.
For now, no decision has been announced. Stewart said the family has agreed to wait for several more CT scans before determining how to proceed.
His Family Is Waiting for Three or Four More Brain Scans
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Stewart told TMZ that Monroe’s ventricles have become enlarged as his brain continues to swell, contributing to seizures. She said he has undergone three brain surgeries while doctors continue monitoring his condition with CT scans. Monroe is also dealing with serious complications beyond his brain. Stewart said his left lung has partially collapsed.
Doctors have warned the family that Monroe could remain in a severely impaired state, according to Stewart. She said his relatives have agreed to wait for the results of three or four additional CT scans before making any further decisions about his care. The family has not publicly specified what decision may ultimately be required.
He Briefly Improved Before His Condition Deteriorated Again
Monroe has been battling a series of overlapping medical problems for months. In early May, his condition appeared to improve. Stewart said doctors were able to stop dialysis after his kidney function improved and discontinue medication that had been supporting his blood pressure.
Monroe was also able to breathe without a ventilator for several hours. Within days, however, his condition deteriorated again. By May 13th, TMZ reported that Monroe had been returned to life support and placed in a medically induced coma while battling meningitis and MRSA pneumonia. He required three blood transfusions within a matter of days and was placed back on dialysis.
A subsequent June update brought additional concerns. Stewart said a CT scan showed encephalopathy and deterioration of brain tissue, leaving her and the family confronting questions about Monroe’s future quality of life. At the time, Stewart said no decision had been made and that the family continued hoping for his recovery.
His Family Says the Illness Was Misdiagnosed for Months
Monroe’s family has said his medical crisis began long before his current hospitalization. Stewart previously said Monroe contracted meningitis while working on a movie in Las Vegas approximately 18 months before his condition became public.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Stewart alleges that Monroe visited several hospitals but was repeatedly misdiagnosed, allowing the illness to go untreated for eight months. She said that by the time Monroe received the correct diagnosis, the meningitis had spread to his brain and spine.
His Family Launched a Fundraiser as Medical Costs Mounted
Monroe’s relatives launched a GoFundMe in April as months of hospital stays and rehabilitation care created mounting expenses. The fundraiser says Monroe had spent time in multiple hospitals and two rehabilitation centers while his wife, mother, siblings and other loved ones traveled back and forth to support him.
His stepdaughter Tayonna Stewart, who organized the fundraiser on the family’s behalf, said Shawna had put much of her career on hold while staying close to Monroe and caring for their children. The family initially hoped that if Monroe regained consciousness and was able to leave life support, he could eventually receive care at home or in a private facility.
They were told that he could require round-the-clock care for a year or longer in that scenario. As his condition has changed, his relatives have continued asking supporters to keep Monroe and the family in their prayers.
Monroe Built His Career in 1990s Film and Television
Monroe is best known for appearing in the 1993 crime drama Menace II Society. His other film credits include Tales from the Hood, Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, Set It Off and The Players Club. He also appeared on television in series including Out All Night, NYPD Blue and Southland.