Cleveland Clinic says first face-transplant recipient in the U.S. has died

ByNicole Acevedo

The Cleveland Clinic said Friday that Connie Culp, 57, the first face transplant recipient in the United States, had died.

The Cleveland Clinic I had originally performed the face transplant. Hospital officials confirmed the news on Twitter Friday saying, "We are saddened by the loss of Connie Culp," who they described as "an inspiration to all of us at Cleveland Clinic."

NBC-affiliate WKYC in Cleveland, Ohio reported that the exact cause of death has not been released, but Culp had already been in the hospital for several days.

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