From daytime television star Billy Miller to former 'Friends' cast member Matthew Perry, family, friends and fans are mourning the tragic death of these big stars.
- Dec 30, 2023
AceShowbiz - Entertainment industry lost some of its shining stars in 2023. From daytime television star Billy Miller to singer Sinead O'Connor, and from music country singer Kyle Jacobs to "Friends" alum Matthew Perry, family, friends and fans are mourning their loved ones.
Some of them passed away after going missing during an outdoor activity. Meanwhile, some others devastatingly took their own life following years of battle with mental health issues as well as the extreme scrutiny of media backlash.
In memory of these stars who have gone too soon, the following are the most tragic celebrity deaths in 2023.
1. Julian Sands
After missing while hiking in snow-covered mountains of Southern California since January, British-born actor Julian Sands was confirmed dead five months later on June 26. His remains were discovered by hikers after the actor, known for his role on Oscar-winning movie "A Room With a View", went to hike alone on January 13 in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Los Angeles.
His cause of death had been deemed "undetermined" due to the condition of the actor's body. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said in a statement, "This is common when dealing with cases of this type." Sands was 65.
2. Kyle Jacobs
Kyle Jacobs was found dead at his and his wife Kellie Pickler's home on February 17. According to a report from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department revealed that Kellie woke up in their Nashville home and began looking for him when she didn't see her husband. The report continued, "After she and her personal assistant were unable to open the door to the upstairs bedroom-office, the assistant telephoned 911." Kyle was later found lifeless inside the room with an autopsy report confirmed he'd died by suicide from an "intraoral shotgun wound."
In the wake of her husband's death, Kellie wrote a heart-wrenching message in a statement which read, "One of the most beautiful lessons my husband taught me was in a moment of a crisis, if you don't know what to do, 'do nothing, just be still.' " The country singer and radio host added, "I have chosen to heed his advice. Thank you to my family, friends, and supporters, for the countless letters, calls, and messages that you have sent my way. It has truly touched my soul and it's helping me get through the darkest time in my life. As many of you have told me, you are all in my prayers."
3. Chuck Morris
Lotus drummer Chuck Morris and his son Charley were confirmed dead on Sunday, April 9, 24 days after the two vanished while kayaking in Arkansas. The father and son duo were reported missing in the area of South Lost Bridge Village of Beaver Lake, prompting a search by the Benton County Sheriff's Office. Following intensive efforts combined with Carroll County [Mennonite Disaster Service] and Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue Team, they eventually recovered the bodies using underwater drones in a "challenging environment that exceeded depths of 180" feet.
Following the passing of the musician and his son, Lotus shared a statement from the Morris family on Instagram. "Thank you all for the outpour of support from around the world - we feel it and love you just as much," the family said. "We look forward to meeting many of the Lotus fans at the upcoming benefit concerts," they added, referring to the benefit concerts which were held in Denver, Harrisburg, Pa., and New York.
4. Moonbin
Fans of K-Pop boyband Astro were left devastated when it was announced that the group's member Moonbin died at the age of 25 on April 19. Citing the police, local media reported that the late singer was found unresponsive on Wednesday evening in his apartment in the upscale Gangnam neighborhood of Seoul.
His music label Fantagio confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement on its official Twitter page which read, "On April 19, Astro member Moon Bin unexpectedly left our world and became a star in the sky." While it did not provide any information about the cause of death, the company asked that everyone "refrain from speculative and malicious reports" so that his family can pay their respects in privacy.
5. Milton 'Big Pokey' Powell
Milton "Big Pokey" Powell died when doing what he's passionate about. The rapper passed away on June 18 after collapsing at a performance in Beaumont, located east of Houston. An autopsy showed that the musician died of a massive heart attack, according to information provided to KFDM/Fox 4 News by Justice of the Peace Tom Gillam III.
"The cause of death, in layman's terms, 'Big Pokey' had a massive heart attack," Tom explained, adding, "He had hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease." Joining the rapper's family and friends, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and rappers Paul Wall, Trae Tha Truth and Slim Thug, the Houston Chronicle were reportedly in attendance at his service at Fountain of Praise church in Houston.
6. Leandro De Niro Rodriguez
Leandro De Niro Rodriguez was gone too soon. The 19-year-old grandson of actor Robert De Niro died on July 2 from the toxic effects of a drug combination that included fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine, New York City's medical examiner disclosed.
In a heartfelt post in the wake of his death, Leandro's mother Drena De Niro wrote on Instagram, "My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been my joy my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you." The 51-year-old added, "I don't know how to live without you but I'll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama. You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you."
7. Coco Lee
CoCo Lee passed away after a suicide attempt. Her death was confirmed by the 48-year-old Hong Kong-born singer-songwriter's older sisters Carol and Nancy Lee who shared that Coco, who notably voiced the female warrior Mulan in the Mandarin version of Disney's "Mulan" and sung the Mandarin version of the movie's theme song "Reflection", had died on July 5.
"With great sadness, we are here [to] break the most devastating news: CoCo had been suffering from depression for a few years but her condition deteriorated drastically over the last few months. Although CoCo sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her," the sisters wrote at the time. "On 2 July, she [attempted] suicide at home and was sent to the hospital. Despite the best efforts of the hospital team to rescue and treat her from her coma, she finally passed away on 5 July."
8. Sinead O'Connor
Sinead O'Connor was found unresponsive by authorities in a London flat on July 16, just weeks after she had moved to the city. In a statement, the Metropolitan police revealed that officers were called at 11.18am on Wednesday to reports of an "unresponsive woman" at a residential address in the Herne Hill area of south London. "Officers attended. A 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious. A file will be prepared for the coroner," the statement added.
Sinead's passing came after her 17-year-old son, Shane, died by suicide in January of 2022. The "Nothing Compares 2 U" singer sparked concern when she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, "I've decided to follow my son. There is no point living without him." Earlier that month, Shane further expressed her sorrow in her final tweet which read, "Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul."
9. Angus Cloud
"Euphoria" star Angus Cloud died at his home in Oakland, California on Monday, July 31 at the age of 25. His passing was confirmed by his family in a statement which read, "It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today. As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways."
His cause of death has been revealed close to star, who starred as Fezco on the hit HBO series, died of acute intoxication following an accidental overdose. According to Alameda County Coroner, the actor, who reportedly struggled with the loss of his father, had cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and benzodiazepines (depressant drugs often used to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders, insomnia, and seizures) in his system at the time of his death.
10. Billy Miller
Billy Miller tragically ended his life on Friday, September 15. The former soap opera star was found in his bathtub "with an apparent gunshot wound to the head." He also had alcohol, ethanol and "cocaine, plus its metabolites, diphenhydramine, and amphetamine" found in his system.
In the wake of his passing, Billy's mother, Patricia Miller, shared that the actor "surrendered his life" after a years-long battle with bipolar depression. "I want to personally thank the many fans and personal friends for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers and condolences sent to me and my family on the devastating death of my beautiful son BJ - Billy Miller," Patricia said. "He fought a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression for years. He did everything he could to control the disease. He loved his family, his friends and his fans but in the end the disease won the fight and he surrendered his life. The other causes of death being told are not true. I wish they were but they just aren't. We all loved him so much and are desperately trying to deal with our loss. I will have nothing further to say. Thanks for the love and support."
11. Brandi Mallory
Everyone was shocked when it was reported that Brandi Mallori had died on November 9. The former star of "Extreme Weight Loss" was found lifeless inside her car in a parking lot after she was out to buy some food from a local Chipotle in Atlanta, Ga. It was said that the owner of an adjacent deli grew suspicious of her car that was parked in a lot of a strip mall for a long time before he eventually called the cops.
According to an autopsy report, the makeup artist died at the age of 40 in November from complications of obesity. In addition to suffering from an enlarged heart, the report revealed that she had elevated blood indicators which suggested she had prediabetes and noted that her death was deemed "natural." The memorial service for Brandi was held in Lithonia on November 19, while the funeral took place the following day.
12. Matthew Perry
It was October 28 when the news of Matthew Perry's shocking death broke online. The "Friends" alum, who played pickleball earlier in the day, was declared dead after being found unresponsive at his home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. Report stated that his assistant, who lived with him, found him face down in the pool after returning from errands.
In the autopsy report, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner noted that the actor died from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine. It also revealed that Mathew drowned in "the heated end of his pool," but that it was a secondary factor in his death that was deemed an accident. Prior to his death, Matthew was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy, an experimental treatment used to treat depression and anxiety, but the levels of ketamine in his body was too high and his last treatment 1 1/2 weeks earlier wouldn't explain those levels. Matthew's loved ones, including his co-stars on "Friends", attended his funeral on November 3.
13. Lee Sun-kyun
Friends and fans of South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, who was internationally known for his role in "Parasite", were devastated when it was reported that the actor died from suicide on Wednesday, December 27. He was found unconscious in a car that was parked in a park located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Prior to that, authorities received an emergency call from a woman who said her husband had left the house after writing what appeared to be a suicide note.
In a statement, his agency confirmed the tragic passing amid police investigation into his suspected drug use. "This is HODU&U Entertainment. We are sorry to share bad news. Actor Lee Sun Kyun passed away on December 27. There are no words to contain our sorrow and grief," the company confirmed the sad news. "We respectfully ask that you refrain from spreading false facts based on speculation or speculation and malicious reports based on them so that the deceased's final journey will be in peace." His funeral will be held quietly with the bereaved family and colleagues in attendance.
