The popular myth that Mama Cass Elliot, a member of The Mamas & the Papas, died from choking on a ham sandwich is indeed false.
This misconception likely arose from the fact that a ham sandwich was found near her when she was discovered dead in her London apartment in 1974. However, the official cause of her death was a heart attack, not choking.
Her daughter, Owen Elliot-Kugell, has often spoken out to dispel this myth and clarify the circumstances of her mother’s passing.
She emphasizes that it’s important to remember Cass Elliot for her talent and legacy rather than this misleading story.
Owen Elliot-Kugell, the daughter of Cass Elliot, has indeed been vocal about dispelling the long-standing myth surrounding her mother’s death.
As she stated to the BBC on the eve of the 50th anniversary of her mother’s passing:
“There was a ham sandwich, but she didn’t eat it and she didn’t choke on it. So enough with the jokes.”
This statement reinforces her ongoing efforts to correct the narrative around Cass Elliot’s death and shift the focus back to her mother’s remarkable musical legacy with The Mamas and the Papas.
The misinformation about the ham sandwich has persisted for decades, but Owen’s commitment to setting the record straight is crucial to honouring her mother’s memory more accurately.
Mama Cass Elliot died at the age of 32 in the London flat of her friend and fellow singer Harry Nilsson on July 29, 1974.
She had just completed a successful two-week run of performances at the London Palladium, which was considered a comeback for her career.
The initial confusion about her death was due to a ham sandwich found at the scene, leading to the false rumour that she had choked.
However, the autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was a heart attack, likely brought on by heart failure.
Mama Cass Elliot’s passing was a significant loss to the music world, as she was known for her powerful voice and contribution to the sound of the 1960s with The Mamas and the Papas.
