Editing Jonathan Larson (section)

==Death==
In the days preceding ''Rent''{{'}}s first previews in January 1996, Larson began experiencing pain in his chest and back, fever, dizziness, and shortness of breath. He was assessed at [[Cabrini Medical Center]] on January 21 and at [[St. Vincent's Hospital, Manhattan|St. Vincent's Hospital]] on January 23, but doctors found nothing of concern in X-rays or [[electrocardiogram]]s (EKGs), and variously attributed his symptoms to stress, food poisoning, or a virus; a note from one doctor on an EKG speculated about a possible [[myocardial infarction]], but the matter was not further pursued.<ref name = JUCM/><ref name=Untimely>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/13/nyregion/on-the-eve-of-a-new-life-an-untimely-death.html | title=On the Eve of a New Life, an Untimely Death | last=Van Gelder | first=Lawrence | authorlink=Lawrence Van Gelder | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=December 13, 1996 | url-access=limited | access-date=April 1, 2022 | archive-date=February 21, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221133002/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/13/nyregion/on-the-eve-of-a-new-life-an-untimely-death.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Larson continued to complain of severe and persistent pain and discomfort throughout this period.<ref name = Untimely/>

At around 12:30 a.m. on January 25, 1996, the scheduled day of the first preview performance, Larson returned to his apartment from a production meeting, and collapsed in the kitchen.<ref name = Untimely/> During the 3 a.m. hour,{{efn|name = Time|Variously reported as 3:00,<ref name=Led/> "around 3:30",<ref name = Untimely/> or 3:40 a.m.<ref name = JUCM/>}} his body was discovered by his roommate, who called emergency services and attempted CPR.<ref name = JUCM/> Police arrived and pronounced Larson dead at the scene, aged 35.<ref name = JUCM/> The cause of death was found to be an [[aortic dissection]].<ref name = Untimely/> A court found that Larson had been misdiagnosed by doctors at both hospitals he had visited.<ref name=price/> A [[medical malpractice]] lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount. The [[New York State Department of Health]] launched an investigation and concluded that it is possible he could have lived if the aortic dissection had been properly diagnosed and treated with [[cardiac surgery]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/state-faults-hosps-rent-tragedy-article-1.743185 | title=State Faults Hosps for 'Rent' Tragedy | last1=Nicholson | first1=Joe | last2=Kornblut | first2=Anne | work=[[New York Daily News]] | date=December 13, 1996 | access-date=April 1, 2022 | archive-date=April 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401005251/https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/state-faults-hosps-rent-tragedy-article-1.743185 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rosenthal|first=Elisabeth|author-link=Elisabeth Rosenthal|date=13 December 1996|title=2 Hospitals Fined In Wake of Death Of 'Rent' Creator|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/13/nyregion/2-hospitals-fined-in-wake-of-death-of-rent-creator.html|access-date=July 9, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717200349/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/13/nyregion/2-hospitals-fined-in-wake-of-death-of-rent-creator.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Cabrini Medical Center and St. Vincent's Hospital were fined $10,000 and $6,000, respectively.<ref name = JUCM/> 

Larson may have had an undiagnosed case of [[Marfan syndrome]], which increases the risk of aortic dissection; the possibility was publicly promoted by the [[The Marfan Foundation|National Marfan Foundation]] to raise awareness about the condition, at the urging of the New York State Health Department.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 12, 2001|title=No Rest for the Parents of the Parent of 'Rent'|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/12/theater/no-rest-for-the-parents-of-the-parent-of-rent.html|access-date=July 9, 2022|archive-date=July 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709212559/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/12/theater/no-rest-for-the-parents-of-the-parent-of-rent.html|url-status=live}}</ref>