At age 12, actress Heather O’Rourke (star of “Poltergeist” and “Happy Days”) died from an obstruction in her intestines.   What led to it and why?

A year earlier, Heather had been misdiagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and had been given cortisone.  (The reason for her bloated appearance in “Poltergeist III”.)   In the last week of her life, Heather’s health had begun to deteriorate.  When asked, her mother said Heather made no complaints; however, classmates noted that she had trouble walking.  They had to carry her in a footrace.  Again, she had been misdiagnosed with the flu.

Feb. 1, 1988.   On her last day, Heather felt ill and threw up.  An ambulance was called.  Heather couldn’t eat, threw up again, apologized to her mother, saying, “I love you”.   After being rushed to the hospital, Heather O’Rourke suffered a heart attack.  Surviving, X-rays revealed a blocked intestine.  Surgery was performed.  Following this, a second heart attack occurred, killing her.

“POLTERGEIST CURSE?”

Tabloids theorized that the “Poltergeist” films were cursed because of four deaths among cast members.  The only one with any credence was her co-star Dominique Dunne who was strangled to death by her boyfriend John Sweeney on Oct. 30, 1982.

Dominique Dunne

The other two actors from “Poltergeist II” who died were Julian Beck and Will Sampson.

Julian Beck had already been diagnosed with terminal cancer while filming.

Will Sampson died from kidney failure following a heart and lung transplant.

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