Estee Lauder vice president's horror real cause of death that'll send shiver through Hollywood: Distraught husband who held him as he died in 8 seconds reveals secret kept from him

By JOE HUTCHISON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 18:08, 16 June 2026 | Updated: 18:15, 16 June 2026 A much-loved Estée Lauder executive who died suddenly in his New York City home passed away after cosmetic fillers he received caused a pulmonary embolism.  Kendal Ascher, 56, dropped dead inside his $2.8 million Chelsea apartment that he shared with his husband William Howe, 63, in the early hours of February 25.  The city's medical examiner told the Daily Mail that Ascher died due to 'acute respiratory failure due to pulmonary embolism of foreign material following cosmetic filler injections'. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a lung artery is clogged by a blood clot, in Ascher's case it was cosmetic fillers that caused the blockage in his lungs.  The city also found that Ascher's manner of death was accidental in their report which was finalized last week and given to his loved ones over the weekend. Howe spoke with the Daily Mail on Monday after waiting for months to find out what caused the death of Ascher, a Vice President at the cosmetics giant.  A grieving Howe, who said that Ascher had used Botox in the past, said: 'It's just profoundly sad. I witnessed it, it was immediate. The cause was secondary.' According to Howe, he wasn't aware of his husband using cosmetic fillers in the lead up to his death, although they did a round of Botox, which is not a filler, together five months before he died.   Howe had previously described to the Daily Mail how his partner of 12 years had complained of feeling lightheaded the night he passed away and went for a shower. Howe, left, and Ascher, right, are seen here together in an undated photo Ascher is seen here actress Dianna Agron, left, Erin Foster, center, and Sara Foster, right, at an event in New York City in 2019  Afterwards, Ascher sat down and after a few minutes Howe helped him back to his feet.  To his horror, they managed only four steps together before Kendal told him 'wait', before going limp in Howe's arms.  'There was no pulse, he was immediately unresponsive, he died in my arms. It happened all within eight seconds,' a distraught Howe previously said.  Dr Stuart Fischer, an emergency medicine doctor in the city, told the Daily Mail that in all his years he had never heard of such a death.  In explaining Ascher's passing he said: 'This is not a natural death, the person becomes hypoxic.' Dr Fischer said that typically, a pulmonary embolism involves a blood clot that blocks an artery in the lung. He added: 'The blood clot would plug a major vein or artery and not allow oxygen through. In this case, a different type of material caused the clot, not blood. 'If it's large enough, it could be fatal. I've never heard of this before, but blood vessels in your face do travel through your lungs.'  According to Howe, Ascher was preparing to have hip surgery and was taking pain medication at the time. The exterior of their apartment is seen here  The city's medical examiner told the Daily Mail that Ascher, right, died due to 'acute respiratory failure due to pulmonary embolism of foreign material following cosmetic filler injections' Ascher is seen here alongside supermodel Karlie Kloss at a Jo Malone event in April of 2013 in New York City Emergency teams raced to the iconic Lantern House condo building designed by famed architect Thomas Heatherwick, who also created the Vessel in Hudson Yards and the nearby Little Island public park, but Ascher was pronounced dead at the scene, city officials previously confirmed to the Daily Mail.  According to Howe, Ascher was preparing to have hip surgery and was taking pain medication at the time. Howe said his late spouse had no underlying health issues.  The couple only recently tied the knot after hosting their wedding in Provincetown, Massachusetts, last October.  Remembering his late husband, Howe said: 'He was a little boy in a big man's body. He loved to laugh, and he loved to play.  'He was selfless, he worried about everyone and put himself second.'  Ascher originally joined Estée Lauder as an account executive in 1995 before moving to L'Oreal in the early 2000s as AVP of marketing for the Kiehl's brand.  His employer remembered him as an 'incredible leader', he is seen here at a party in the Hamptons in 2007 The City's Chief Medical Examiner said in a statement to the Daily Mail that the cause and manner of his death was still under investigation Howe and Ascher only recently tied the knot after hosting their wedding in Provincetown, Massachusetts, last October In 2007 he returned to the company and worked his way up to become the North American SVP General Manager of La Mer, Jo Malone, and Darphin brands.  He remained in the position until his death, and was pictured alongside the likes of model Karlie Kloss and actress Dianna Agron at star-studded events.  Jane Hertzmark Hudis, Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of the firm, remembered him as a 'full of energy, kind and funny' in a previous statement. She said: 'Kendal was one of a kind, full of passion and life. When Kendal walked into a room, he lit it up. He was full of energy, kind and funny, and he had a heart of gold. 'He truly loved our company, and we were all blessed to be inspired by Kendal.' Tara Simon, the company's president of the Americas, added: 'We are heartbroken by the loss of Kendal. 'Kendal was an incredible leader. He showed up to work the same way he lived his life - full of heart and conviction, levity and wisdom. 'He helped his teams believe they could accomplish things they hadn't imagined and created success for all along the way. 'The outpouring from within the company and across the industry has been extraordinary and shows his immeasurable impact.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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