NY medical examiner rules Estée Lauder executive’s death accidental after embolism linked to cosmetic filler

The New York City chief medical examiner ruled that Kendal Ascher, 56, died in February 2026 from acute respiratory failure caused by a pulmonary embolism linked to foreign material from cosmetic filler injections. The examiner classified the death as accidental.

Ascher had showered and then reported feeling lightheaded before the incident. His husband, William Howe, attempted to assist and Ascher died in Howe's arms. Howe told the Daily Mail on June 15 that he could not find a pulse and that the death occurred very suddenly.

"It all happened within eight seconds," Howe said. "It's just profoundly sad. I witnessed it, it was immediate. " Howe stated he had no knowledge of Ascher undergoing any filler procedures. He said he and Ascher had received Botox treatment five months before Ascher's death.

Ascher began working at Estée Lauder Companies in 1995, left in the early 2000s, and returned in 2007. At the time of his death he held the position of senior vice president and general manager of the company's luxury portfolio. He was responsible for managing Jo Malone London, La Mer, and Darphin across North America.

Ascher previously worked as an Account Executive for Aramis Designer Fragrances and Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. He worked at L'Oréal for roughly six years beginning in 2001 as assistant vice president of marketing for Kiehl's before rejoining Estée Lauder Companies in 2007.