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Probe launched in Donda West's death

Rapper's mom was under care of nephew, a nurse, who left her alone

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Access Hollywood
updated 4:21 p.m. ET Nov. 26, 2008

LOS ANGELES - California authorities have launched an investigation into the involvement of Stephan Scoggins, Donda West’s nephew, with her care and eventual death following complications from plastic surgery a year ago, according to People. The California Department of Consumer Affairs has reportedly issued subpoenas in the investigation.

Scoggins, a registered nurse, reportedly had supervised Donda’s care along with her assistant and a friend following her surgery for breast reduction and liposuction. However, according to People, he left her home the day after the surgery to attend a baby shower — and could not be reached when her condition deteriorated. She passed away that evening, November 10, 2007. Donda, the mother of rapper Kanye West, was 58.

Following her death, controversy surrounded her surgeon, Dr. Jan Adams, but an autopsy report revealed that she had died from coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors.

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“The final matter of death could not be determined,” the coroner’s office said in a statement to Access Hollywood at the time.

Donda was the former chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English department in addition to being mom to the famous rapper. She left the university in 2004 to manage her son’s career and wrote a book, “Raising Kanye: Life Lessons From The Mother Of A Hip-Hop Superstar.”

Kanye, who references his mother in songs including “Hey Mama,” released his latest album, “808s & Heartbreak,” this week.

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