Erica Garner left brain-damaged after cardiac arrest

Eric Garner's family is facing another crisis after doctors told the them that the police chokehold victim's daughter suffered major brain damage after a heart attack just days before Christmas.

Erica Garner, 27, the grieving daughter-turned-activist has been in a medically-induced coma since she went into cardiac arrest Saturday. Family and friends, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, went on social media requesting prayers and offering updates.

The latest update came Wednesday evening from someone using Garner's own Twitter page, which has more than 35,000 followers, and the outlook was not good.

RELATED: Eric Garner's daughter sends message on anniversary of his death

"Cat scan shows Erica suffered major brain damage from a lack of oxygen while in cardiac arrest," the tweet said. "Please continue to pray hard for Erica and pray for her family and kids just as much."

Garner emerged after her father's death in July 2014 as an outspoken critic of police brutality. When her son was born four months ago, she named the boy for her dad.

But she also suffered her first heart attack shortly after the delivery, with doctors saying the pregnancy stressed her already enlarged heart.

The weekend heart attack was preceded by an asthma attack, according to family members.

Eric Garner's final words, "I can't breathe," helped spark the Black Lives Matter movement. He was 43.

He was choked while selling loose, untaxed cigarettes on Staten Island, the officer videotaped making the fatal arrest was cleared of any crime by a grand jury.

In September, the Civilian Complaint Review Board recommended discipline against Officer Daniel Pantaleo for using the banned chokehold in Garner's death.

Pantaleo remains on the job with the NYPD.

The Garner family and the city of New York reached a $5.9 million out-of-court settlement.