MALIBU – A rehabilitation center has tentatively settled a lawsuit brought by the mother of former adult film actress Emily Willis, who suffered a heart attack in 2024 that left her in a vegetative state, according to court filings in Santa Monica.
Attorneys for Summit Malibu notified Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Mark A. Young on Feb. 24 that the parties had reached a conditional settlement in the case brought by Yesenia Lara Cooper, the mother and guardian of Litzy Lara Banuelos, who was known in the industry as Emily Willis. The filing says a request for dismissal is expected to be filed by Sept. 1. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
The lawsuit, filed in December 2024, alleged Summit Malibu was lax in Banuelos’ care while she was at the facility for treatment of ketamine addiction. Cooper alleged Summit Malibu’s “neglect, abandonment, recklessness and negligence” caused irreversible brain damage and permanent physical and mental incapacity.
Summit Malibu denied wrongdoing in earlier court filings and argued Banuelos refused medical recommendations, medications and efforts to get her to go to urgent care or the hospital.
“It is undisputed that during her stay, Litzy had refused to follow medical recommendations and take her medications,” according to the Summit Malibu attorneys’ pleadings. “She refused to go to urgent care or the hospital voluntarily, despite being encouraged to do so by (Summit Malibu).”
The facility also argued it had no authority to force Banuelos to go to urgent care or the hospital despite her refusal. Summit Malibu’s attorneys further argued there was no evidence staff acted negligently, pointing to allegations in the complaint that Banuelos was regularly monitored and seen by staff.
Banuelos, now 27, was known in the industry as Emily Willis. She was a Penthouse Pet of the Month in May 2019 and won multiple Adult Video News awards, including Female Performer of the Year in 2021.
Editor’s Note: This story includes reporting from City News Service, a content partner of Westside Current.