Peter David's health struggles explored as the legendary comic book writer dies at 68

Legendary comic book writer Peter David (aka PAD) passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025, after his long-standing battles with different health issues. His friend, Keith R.A. DeCandido, was the first to announce PAD's death on Facebook. Soon, Peter's wife, Kathleen O'Shea David, also confirmed the news in an FB post,

“Since it is out there. Peter David passed away last night. We are devastated. More when I can write about it.”

Peter David was currently hospitalized due to multiple health struggles. In 2010, he had knee and hip surgery. Although the comic book writer seemingly recovered from the procedure, he suffered a stroke in 2012. PAD encountered a medical emergency when he was on a vacation in Florida that year.

As revealed in a June 2013 blog, Peter David made a significant recovery in six months. Two years later, PAD announced his type 2 diabetes diagnosis, which happened in 2014. The comic book writer didn’t provide many updates on his health for years until November 2022, when a GoFundMe was launched to provide him with financial assistance for multiple health complications.

The fundraiser campaign page revealed that PAD had suffered kidney failure, multiple strokes, and a mild heart attack. From 2022 until his death, he struggled with declining health while also facing financial troubles. Another GoFundMe was launched in March after Peter David was rejected for Medicaid while still hospitalized.

PAD’s health declined in his final days, with him being on a ventilator before his passing on Saturday night.

Peter David was on a ventilator after facing issues coughing and clearing his throat

In April, Kathleen O'Shea gave an update on PAD’s health, revealing an issue with his arm fistula. Earlier this month, Kathleen wrote on GoFundMe that Peter will undergo surgery. After a few days, she gave another update on the fundraiser page,

“Here is what happened. His fistula was fine, but they found a blockage in his right shoulder that was not allowing blood to flow freely. They corrected that so the fistula should now work. If it does consistently, then they remove the catheter that is currently running to his heart making dialysis safer. Fortunately he is back in rehab rather than the hospital.”

Peter David was seemingly doing better, but his health deteriorated within the next few days. Kathleen O'Shea stated on GoFundMe that PAD was in the ICU and was facing difficulty breathing due to bilateral pneumonia. She added that it was the “worst shape he has been in since November 2022.”

Last week, O'Shea David revealed that Peter was temporarily put on a ventilator “due to his inability to cough or clear his throat.” A day before his death, Kathleen wrote on Facebook,

“Still on the ventilator and NG tube. They have removed sedation and are trying to get him to wake up. So far he has not complied. Occasional he will wake up but it is a brief time. We wait to see what is happening. I am so tired and worn out.”

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Peter David died at 68 and is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and daughters Ariel, Shana, Gwen, and Caroline. The iconic comic book writer is known as the co-creator of Miguel O’Hara (Spider-Man 2099) and a significant part of Incredible Hulk’s successful 12-year run, which earned him an Eisner Award. He also worked on comic book characters like Aquaman, Supergirl, Captain Marvel, and many more.

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