Brayden died as a result of surgical complications, according to his family, who informed a local CBS station in his hometown of Las Vegas. Brayden, who was 24 at the time, died about three weeks later of bilateral pulmonary emboli, multiple blockages in lung arteries caused by blood clots.
According to reports, Brayden was hospitalized in December 2020 and January 2021 due to severe symptoms of ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that caused him to be weak and malnourished.
Brayden Smith underwent a colectomy – a colon removal surgery. Brayden collapsed in a bathroom two weeks after the surgery, according to Murdock.
“His father entered. “The door was shut,” Murdock explained. “His father had to push, break open the door, find Brayden on the floor, and perform CPR.” Brayden was most likely without oxygen for 8 to 12 minutes.” Brayden died a few days later.
Smith was a five-time winner of the game show and was dubbed “Alex’s Last Great Champion” by fans because he appeared in some of Alex Trebek’s final episodes before the host passed away.