The confirmed cause of Tyler Christopher’s death has been determined following the passing of the General Hospital star at the age of 50 on October 31, 2023, in his San Diego apartment.
Renowned for his portrayal of Nikolas Cassadine, the late actor appeared in 1,153 episodes of the enduring daytime soap opera from 1996 to 2016.
The initial announcement of his passing came from his co-star Maurice Benard, known for his role as Sonny Corinthos in the medical drama. Benard shared with fans, “Tyler was a genuinely gifted individual who illuminated the screen in every scene, delighting his loyal fans through his acting. He was a kind soul and a wonderful friend to all who knew him.”
Tyler Christopher died in October at the age of 50. Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage/Getty Images
The 60-year-old actor also noted that Christopher, who was an advocate for improved mental health and substance use treatment, openly discussed his battles with bipolar depression and alcohol. He expressed deep sorrow, stating, “We are profoundly devastated by the loss of our dear friend and offer our prayers for his children and his father.”
It is now confirmed that Christopher’s cause of death was positional asphyxia resulting from acute intoxication, as revealed in a report from the Medical Examiner’s Office obtained by TMZ.
The medical examiner determined that Christopher’s death was accidental, attributing it to positional asphyxia caused by his intoxicated state. Additionally, coronary artery atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of plaque in the arteries, was listed as a contributing factor to his untimely demise.
According to the medical examiner, Christopher’s demise was ruled accidental, and the cause of death was determined to be suffocation resulting from his intoxicated state and the position he was in at the time.
Christopher’s battle with alcohol had been recorded in the years leading up to his demise. In November 2019, he experienced a critical craniotomy following a fall in his bathroom during alcohol withdrawal. The fall led to a severe impact on the back of his head against the bathtub, resulting in a fractured skull and bleeding in his brain.
Following this, his sister submitted a petition for his guardianship in 2020. The actor contended that this move led to him being exploited, as reported by Bloomberg. However, the guardianship was lifted a year later in 2021.
At the time of Christopher’s passing, numerous friends expressed their sorrow, with Steve Burton, his co-star from General Hospital, sharing on Instagram: “This is deeply impactful. Truly heart-wrenching. I often use the term ‘brother’ casually, but when I referred to Tyler as my brother, I meant it… There’s a circle of us… who have, and still would, go to great lengths for one another.”
“We’ve lost someone. A soul, beautiful and talented. It’s painful. Thank you for the memories, Brother Ty. Love you. See you in Heaven.”
General Hospital Executive Producer Frank Valentini expressed in a statement to People, “I am devastated by the news of Tyler Christopher’s passing. He was not only kind but also an incredible actor and a dear friend. He was beloved by our GH family and fans of Nikolas Cassadine.”
“Speaking on behalf of everyone at General Hospital, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to his loved ones during this challenging time.”
The actor was an Emmy winner. Credit: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images
Christopher received four daytime Emmy nominations for his contributions to the medical TV series. In 2016, he clinched the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
He portrayed the character Stefan DiMera in 159 episodes of “Days of Our Lives” from 2018 to 2019, earning a Daytime Emmy nomination for his performance.
He also boasted various other TV credits, such as his role in the ABC Family drama series “The Lying Game” and guest appearances on shows like “The Twilight Zone,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Family Law,” “Charmed,” “Angel,” and “The Pretender.” Additionally, he contributed to TV disaster movies like “Ice Storm,” “20.0 Megaquake,” and “Super Volcano.”
His film repertoire extends to titles such as “Shouting Secrets,” “Out of the Black,” “Max Winslow and the House of Secrets,” “Murder, Anyone?,” and “Beyond the Lights.”
Christopher was formerly wed to “Desperate Housewives” star Eva Longoria from 2002 to 2004. Subsequently, he tied the knot with former ESPN reporter Brienne Pedigo in 2008, and the couple welcomed two children before reportedly divorcing in 2021.
He is survived by his two children, 14-year-old son Greysun and 8-year-old daughter Boheme.
