Patrick Muldoon’s sudden passing has left his family grappling with an unimaginable loss, as his sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, shared a deeply personal account of his final moments.
According to a report in The Daily Mail, she described how the day began quietly, with no sign of what was to come.
“He had just had a normal morning coffee with his dear girlfriend at their home. Then he went into the bathroom [to take a shower] while she was on the phone,” she shared with The Daily Mail.
What followed unfolded quickly, as a routine moment turned into an emergency.
“And she just thought it seemed [like he’d been in there] a little long – it was probably 10 minutes. So she went in, and he was on the floor, not breathing.”
Emergency Response Could Not Save Him
GettyAccording to his sister, his partner, Miriam Rothbart, quickly called for help and did everything she could in those critical moments.
“She called 911, and she was trying to bring him back, then the paramedics got there. My parents were at our house because we’re all in LA, and we all ran over there. But by the time we got there, he was gone.”
The sudden loss has been especially difficult for the family to come to terms with, given how ordinary and peaceful the day had begun.
“We have videos the night before he was sending us from when his girlfriend and he were at the beautiful new LACMA event, and he was happy as can be. It’s just a shock.”
A Sudden Loss That Felt Unimaginable
Muldoon-Zappa described her brother as someone who led an active life and took great care of his health, which made the sudden loss even harder to comprehend.
“He’s so healthy. He’s an ex-athlete. He goes to jiu-jitsu. He’s a martial artist. He runs, he works out.”
“It seems like he was in a highlight in his life. And then to just [die] suddenly, it’s just unbelievable.”
She also reflected on the recent moments they shared as a family, including time spent together over Easter, memories that now feel especially meaningful.
“We just had this beautiful Easter together. I talked to him – he was supposed to have lunch with my husband yesterday.”
Family and Loved Ones Left Grieving
The tragedy also rippled through the family in unexpected and painful ways.
“My poor dad ran in the house to see him and fell and fractured his shoulder. I mean, it’s just so crazy.”
She added that medical responders indicated his passing appeared to be sudden.
“There was no other signs of anything. So the good news is it seems like it was sudden and there was no suffering. He didn’t hit his head or anything.”
As the family continues to process the loss, friends and colleagues have also been mourning, remembering the lasting impact he had on those who knew him over the years.
