Tyler Christopher’s cause of death has been revealed three months after he passed away. The General Hospital star died at age 50 in October 2023 due to ‘positional asphyxia’ due to acute alcohol intoxication.
A report by the Medical Examiner Office obtained by TMZ revealed his tragic death was accidental and happened because of how he was positioned. Essentially, the report said that he suffocated to death and he also had coronary artery atherosclerosis, which is plaque build-up in his arteries.
According to the Mayo Clinic, complications of atherosclerosis can cause coronary arteries to narrow, limiting blood flow to the heart.
In the morning of October 31, his friend discovered the actor in the bedroom of his San Diego apartment. A day later, police sources told TMZ that officers visited the home around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday after the friend contacted 911 after finding the actor.
He told authorities that ‘it appeared he had been dead for some time.’ Christopher’s friend had not been able to reach the actor, and had went to his home to check on him, sources told the outlet.
The home had been locked but the friend was able to enter with a key the actor had past provided, sources said.
Christopher’s death was publicly announced Tuesday by his friend and former costar Maurice Benard on Instagram Tuesday: ‘It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Tyler Christopher.
‘Tyler passed away this morning following a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment.’ Previously, Christopher was married to Desperate Housewives alum Eva Longoria from 2002 to 2004.
‘Tyler was a truly talented individual that lit up the screen in every scene he performed and relished bringing joy to his loyal fans through his acting,’ Benard said on the social media site.
‘Tyler was a sweet soul and wonderful friend to all of those who knew him.’
Benard said that his late colleague ‘was an advocate for better mental health and substance use treatment who openly spoke about his struggles with bipolar depression and alcohol,’ adding, ‘We are beyond devastated by the loss of our dear friend and pray for his children and his father.’
Christopher’s representative Chi Muoi Lo also confirmed the actor’s death in a statement to CNN. ‘This news was incredibly shocking, and I am devastated by his loss,’ the actor’s rep said. ‘He was a very gifted actor, and more importantly, an amazing friend. My heart goes out to his friends and family who loved him so much.’
The actor played the role of Nikolas Cassadine on 1,153 episodes of General Hospital from 1996 to 2016. For his work on the series, he earned four daytime Emmy nominations and in 2016, he won the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.