Final hours revealed: Gary Coleman’s ex-wife speaks out on life support decision

Shannon Price says she “had no choice”

More than 15 years after his May 2010 fall, Shannon Price finally defended the decision to remove Gary Coleman from life support. She described the moment doctors said Coleman went into cardiac arrest, and she believed there was no hope.

Price said she followed his legal directive and medical guidance. She added that he was “basically gone,” and she deeply regretted not saving him, though she insists she made the only choice possible.

Surveillance of final moments sparks skepticism

Price says Coleman was coherent enough to speak in his final hours, telling reporters, “If I did it, he would’ve said something.” She maintains he never fell down stairs; they found him in the kitchen after a crash.

Despite her claims, public doubts linger. Friends and fans wonder whether her 911 call and early decision on life support followed his own 15-day directive or hospital pressure.

Polygraph results raise more questions

In a new A&E special, Price took a lie‑detector test when asked if she caused Coleman’s fall. The polygraph examiner reported “deception indicated” to that question, even though he cleared her on abuse and withholding aid.

Price disputes those results, saying the test was flawed and she answered honestly. Supporters praise her courage for testing, while critics ask why she failed when she claims innocence.

Ex-wife defends medical directive authority

Though divorced since 2008, Price presented a valid medical directive at the hospital, gaining decision-making authority. She stressed that hospital staff assumed they were still married and acted accordingly.

Price emphasized her legal right to act. She expressed regret over the divorce and said she remained in his house, caring for him until the end, trying to hold on to the relationship they once had.

He hit his head really hard,” Price recalls

Shannon Price described the moment she found Gary Coleman bleeding on the kitchen floor after what she insists was an accidental fall. “He hit his head hard,” she recalled.

She says he was awake at first, but deteriorated rapidly. Price told A&E that blood was everywhere and she screamed for help, unsure whether he had slipped or passed out before collapsing.

Friends question timeline and injuries

Some close to Coleman have long doubted Price’s account. Friends claim his injuries didn’t match a simple fall, and question how he moved from the bedroom to the kitchen before collapsing.

Others point to years of tension and instability between the couple. Though no charges were ever filed, skepticism around those final moments has never fully disappeared.

The 911 call that raised red flags

Audio from Price’s 911 call added fuel to public doubt. Critics noted how detached she sounded, describing the scene without much urgency or emotional distress.

She later defended her tone, explaining that she was in shock. “You don’t know how you’re going to react in that situation,” she said. But to many listeners, the calm voice didn’t match the emergency.

She says race and fame shaped the backlash

Price believes the public’s harsh judgment was partly due to race and her status as Gary’s ex-wife. “People didn’t want to believe a white woman could’ve cared about him,” she said.

She claimed her appearance and background made her an easy target. According to Price, the media’s portrayal framed her as heartless, something she insists couldn’t be further from the truth.

Coleman’s will excluded price but she stayed

Though Gary Coleman updated his will in 2007 to exclude Shannon Price, she remained closely involved in his life after their divorce. She continued living with him and helped with daily care.

Price claims their relationship was still “like a marriage.” Despite legal separation, she says they were emotionally tied and that she was present in ways others simply weren’t.

Legal battles followed after his death

After Coleman passed, Price became embroiled in bitter estate disputes. His ex-girlfriend Anna Gray was named executor, sparking a public fight over assets and final wishes.

Price pushed back, arguing that she acted as Coleman’s wife in all but name. The court sided against her. The legal mess only deepened public suspicion and media scrutiny surrounding his death.

Shannon insists she respected Gary’s wishes

Despite all the backlash, Price insists she followed Gary’s medical directive. She claims he didn’t want to be kept alive artificially if brain activity ceased.

Doctors reportedly advised that his condition had become irreversible. “It wasn’t my choice, it was his,” she said. Her decision to end life support was not made lightly, but rather out of what she believed was love and respect.

Her appearance in A&E doc reignites debate

Shannon Price’s recent appearance in the A&E documentary Gary Coleman: The Fatal Fall has reignited public debate over his final days.

The special features include never-before-seen footage, legal records, and interviews. Price says she participated to clear her name and tell her side after years of silence. But for some viewers, her return brought back more questions than closure.

Price says her only regret was not doing more

In a quiet moment during the A&E special, Price admitted she often wonders if she could’ve done something, anything change the outcome. “I wish I had fought harder,” she said.

She insists she acted in good faith but is haunted by guilt and what-ifs. For all the controversy, her voice cracks when she speaks of Gary’s final hours, revealing a grief that hasn’t faded.

Michelle Obama reveals the unexpected joy of raising daughters, and why she never longed for a son.

A legacy still clouded by unanswered questions

More than a decade later, Gary Coleman’s death remains tangled in mystery, suspicion, and unresolved tension. The actor, once beloved for his charm and wit, left behind more questions than clarity.

As Shannon Price continues to speak out, the public remains divided. Was she protecting his wishes or hiding something? While legal battles have ended, public opinion is still far from settled.

While Gary Coleman’s story remains shrouded in uncertainty, other stars have faced their struggles head-on. See how Merle Haggard battled illness with quiet strength and turned personal trials into timeless triumphs.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and with human editing.