‘Heart Arrythmia’ May Have Contributed to Goldberg’s Death

New autopsy reports from Mexican authorities suggest that a heart arrhythmia (or irregularity) may have contributed to Survey Monkey CEO Dave Goldberg’s death, in addition to head trauma caused by falling off a treadmill at a private villa resort in Punta Mita, Mexico.

Several news outlets, including the Associated Press, had initially reported that Goldberg, 47, was found lying “in a pool of blood” by the treadmill with a “blow to the lower back of his head.” The AP later reported that authorities said he suffered from a blunt-force injury and “a cut on the head.” The New York Daily News said that a spokesman for the local state prosecutor’s office revealed he Goldberg a “1.18-inch gash to his head.” Authorities have reportedly suggested foul play did not play a role in his death and said there were no signs of a struggle.

Goldberg passed away on Friday night. His brother, Robert, announced he had passed on Saturday through Facebook and the cause of his death was announced on Monday. Goldberg, who was well-recognized for his marriage to Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO and author of Lean In, reportedly had vital signs when he was discovered, but efforts to revive him at both the gym and hospital in Nuevo Vallarta proved unsuccessful.

Another quizzical detail about Goldberg’s passing is the fact that an anonymous Mexican source from the prosecutor’s office in Nayarit State told media outlets that he was discovered at the workout room in the Four Seasons Punta Mita, when in fact the general manger at the resort John O’Sullivan told Breitbart News that “Mr. Goldberg was not a guest at the Four Seasons, did not enter the Four Seasons over the period of time that was questioned, and unfortunately there was an inaccuracy in the reporting. He was not a resident at the hotel.” The AP, New York Times, and other media outlets later updated their reports.

Goldberg was, in fact, a guest at the Palmasola luxury villas, which is roughly a 5-minute drive from the Four Seasons. Further confirmation of this was provided to Breitbart News from the director of marketing and sales there in an email which noted that “the tragic accident occurred on Friday on our premises.” The email also points out that “Palmasola is a private residence located in the Punta Mita resort area” and “is not affiliated with the Four Seasons.”

Goldberg’s body was reportedly flown back to California on Saturday, according to the Daily Mail, and a private memorial reception was held for friends and family to honor his memory on Tuesday at Stanford University.

Wife Sheryl posted a note on her Facebook page after the service: “As we put the love of my life to rest today, we buried only his body. His spirit, his soul, his amazing ability to give is still with us.”

Close friend and professional poker player Phil Hellmuth said of Goldberg, “He just clearly loved his family, and was so balanced for someone who is married to someone who is so powerful.”

Follow Adelle Nazarian on Twitter @AdelleNaz