Ensa Cosby, Bill Cosby’s daughter, recently died from complications stemming from renal disease at the age of 44 and her untimely death begs the question, could genetics have played a role? 

Ensa is comedian Bill Cosby’s daughter, who appeared in a single episode of “The Cosby Show” in the late 80s. More recently, she returned to the spotlight in defense of her father who’s had multiple accusations of sexual misconduct lodged against him in the past couple years.

She was the third of Cosby’s four daughters and the second-youngest of his five children. Renal disease (also referred to as chronic kidney failure) is known to happen when the kidneys lose their function. The kidneys are a major organ and play the role of filtering the body’s system. They are essentially involved in siphoning off the blood’s excess fluid and waste, which then leaves the body via the natural process of urination.

This disease will have a major impact on the health when high levels of waste and fluid take hold.

In the early stages of the disease, there are few symptoms to notice. But, over time the signs of kidney failure include high blood pressure, persistent itching, swelling ankles and feet, changes in urinating, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting and nausea.

If the blood isn’t treated with dialysis, a process of filtering the blood, this disease has the real risk of resulting in kidney failure and eventually death.

The majority of people who suffer renal failure are diagnosed to have an existing health complaint that impacts the kidney function, such as polycystic kidney disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes. These numbers are statistically higher among African-American populations.

It isn’t entirely clear why Ensa suffered kidney failure, but there are reports she had suffered with other medical complaints over the years, this coupled with likely genetic/hereditary factors put her at an increased risk for developing the illness.

The statement issued by the Cosby spokesperson confirmed the sad news of Ensa’s death and thanked people for their support and prayers.

In May 2017, Ensa Cosby released a joint statement with her older sister, Erinn to proclaim the innocence for the father in relation to the multiple rape allegations.

This statement took place on the  popular radio show, “The Breakfast Club,” because they were loyal listeners of the show and wished to clearly state their disapproval of the media’s reporting on their father, who is best known for starring on the television sitcom, “The Cosby Show.”

The sisters stated the accusations made against their father were entirely one-sided and stated their belief that racism has had a major role in this scandal and believe their father is entirely innocent of all alleged crimes.

Bill Cosby will return to the Pennsylvania court on April 2 for the scheduled sexual assault retrial.