Los Angeles, January 31, 2026 — Canadian-American actress Catherine O’Hara, known for her roles in Schitt’s Creek, Beetlejuice and Home Alone, died at 71 years old on January 30, 2026, following a brief illness, her agency Creative Artists Agency confirmed in a statement.
Paramedics responded to a medical aid call at her Brentwood home in Los Angeles before she was taken to a hospital in serious condition, where she later died. No official cause of death has been shared at this time.
O’Hara’s death brought renewed attention to a rare genetic condition she had publicly discussed in the past: situs inversus, a condition in which the internal organs develop in a mirror-image arrangement compared with typical human anatomy.
There is no evidence that situs inversus itself contributed to her brief illness or death.
She is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke.
In O’Hara’s own recounting, she learned about her condition over two decades ago during a routine medical check-up that included an electrocardiogram, which puzzled her clinicians until imaging revealed the reversed organ placement. She spoke about the discovery with humour, noting her surprise that none of her siblings appeared to have the same condition.
Her passing has led many readers to search for clear information about what situs inversus and dextrocardia actually mean and whether the condition poses health risks.
Situs inversus is a rare congenital condition present from birth in which the major internal organs are positioned in a mirror image rather than the typical layout found in most people. In a typical anatomy, known medically as situs solitus, the heart sits on the left side and organs follow a standard pattern. In situs inversus, these positions are reversed horizontally.
The most complete form is situs inversus totalis, where both thoracic (chest) and abdominal organs are mirrored. A subtype often discussed is dextrocardia with situs inversus, where the heart is located on the right side of the chest instead of the left.
Situs Inversus affects approximately 1 in every 10,000 people globally.
Dextrocardia refers specifically to the heart being located on the right side of the chest, a variation of situs inversus. In individuals with this arrangement, other organs in the abdomen may also be reversed.
While the reversed anatomy itself typically does not cause symptoms, knowledge of it is important in medical and surgical settings to avoid diagnostic or procedural errors. For example, an electrocardiogram (EKG) or imaging study might appear abnormal unless the clinician knows about the reversed organ placement.
In most people, situs inversus is not dangerous by itself and does not lead to health problems. Many individuals live without ever knowing they have the condition because it does not cause symptoms.
However, when situs inversus occurs with additional anomalies, such as structural heart defects or as part of a syndrome like primary ciliary dyskinesia, it may be associated with other health challenges.
In most individuals, situs inversus does not cause any symptoms at all. The organs function normally despite being positioned in a mirror-image arrangement, which is why many people remain unaware of the condition for years or even for life.
Although the condition is usually silent, certain clinical clues may appear when common illnesses occur in unexpected locations. A classic example is mirror-image pain. If appendicitis develops, discomfort may arise in the lower-left abdomen rather than the right, potentially delaying diagnosis if the reversed anatomy is unknown.
When situs inversus is associated with primary ciliary dyskinesia or Kartagener syndrome, respiratory symptoms may be prominent. These can include chronic sinusitis, recurrent bronchitis, persistent cough and repeated lung infections. Some adults may also experience infertility due to impaired ciliary function.
In individuals with dextrocardia or associated congenital heart defects, symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath or low oxygen saturation may appear early in life. Rarely, complex cardiovascular anomalies, including transposition of the great arteries, may coexist and require specialist care.
Situs inversus is most often identified as an incidental finding during:
routine chest X-ray or abdominal imaging
evaluation for trauma, pneumonia or abdominal pain
pre-operative screening
cardiovascular assessment when electrocardiogram patterns appear reversed
The condition may also be detected before birth on prenatal ultrasound or shortly after delivery. During physical examination, clinicians may notice that heart sounds are loudest on the right side of the chest, prompting confirmatory imaging.
Because reversed anatomy can complicate surgical, diagnostic and emergency procedures, experts advise that individuals with situs inversus inform all healthcare providers and consider carrying this information in medical records or emergency identification.
In clinical practice, awareness of reversed organ placement is essential when interpreting electrocardiograms or planning procedures, as typical anatomical expectations differ. An ECG may show inverted patterns, and imaging confirms the orientation.
Yes. Most people with isolated situs inversus and even those with dextrocardia live full, active lives with normal life expectancy as long as they do not have associated anomalies. Routine medical care is typically all that is required.
Situs inversus is typically inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning a child must inherit altered genes from both parents. Genetic research has identified more than 100 genes linked to abnormalities in left-right axis development, though the exact genetics may vary between individuals.
Although many people with situs inversus live without complications, the condition may be associated with other anomalies in a subset of cases, such as congenital heart defects or respiratory issues when part of a broader syndrome like primary ciliary dyskinesia (Kartagener syndrome).
Careful anatomical assessment is essential, especially in emergency or surgical settings, to avoid diagnostic or procedural errors arising from the reversed anatomy.
What is situs inversus?
Situs inversus is a rare condition in which the organs in the chest and abdomen form in a mirror-image arrangement compared with typical human anatomy.
Is situs inversus dangerous?
By itself, situs inversus is usually harmless and non-life threatening. In some cases, it may be associated with other congenital conditions that require medical attention.
Can people with situs inversus live normal lives?
Yes. Most people with isolated situs inversus live normal, healthy lives with appropriate medical awareness.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. “Situs Inversus.” PMC (PubMed Central). Accessed January 31, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8901252/
Medscape. “Situs Inversus.” Medscape Reference. Accessed January 31, 2026. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/413679-overview
National Organization for Rare Disorders. “Situs Inversus.” NORD Rare Diseases. Accessed January 31, 2026. https://rarediseases.org/mondo-disease/situs-inversus/
Cleveland Clinic. “Situs Inversus.” Cleveland Clinic Health Encyclopedia. Accessed January 31, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23486-situs-inversus
Medscape. “Dextrocardia and Situs Inversus: Clinical Presentation and Evaluation.” Medscape Reference. Accessed January 31, 2026. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/413679-clinical
F. Barqueros Escuer et al., “Heterotaxy Syndrome in the Adult: A Review of Its Radiological Findings and Associated Genetic Alterations,” EPOS™, European Society of Radiology (ECR 2019 Poster C-2735), accessed January 31, 2026, https://epos.myesr.org/poster/esr/ecr2019/C-2735.
