Tyler Christopher, late 'General Hospital' star, died of alcohol-induced asphyxia

The cause of death for Tyler Christopher, the soap opera actor known for his roles in "General Hospital" and "Days of Our Lives," has been released.

Christopher died at age 50 on Oct. 31, 2023, from positional asphyxia – when the position of a body impedes the ability to breathe – due to acute alcohol intoxication, according to a press release from the San Diego County Medical Examiner. His death was ruled an accident.

Coronary artery atherosclerosis was listed as a contributing factor in the actor's death. The condition occurs when a buildup of plaque causes the inside of the arteries to narrow over time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Christopher was found "unresponsive in his bedroom" by a friend, who called 911, according to the medical examiner report. Paramedics confirmed his death the morning of Oct. 31.

TMZ was first to report the news.

Christopher's manager, Chi Muoi Lo, previously confirmed the actor's death in a statement to USA TODAY in October. "This news was incredibly shocking, and I am devastated by his loss. He was a very gifted actor, and more importantly, an amazing friend," Lo said. "My heart goes out to his friends and family who loved him so much."

Christopher's former "General Hospital" co-star, Maurice Benard, was the first to share the news in an Instagram post. He wrote at the time that Christopher died "following a cardiac event."

Benard's statement continued: "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. Tyler was a sweet soul and wonderful friend to all of those who knew him."

Tyler Christopher was 'beloved,' says 'General Hospital' executive producer

Christopher starred in "General Hospital" on and off between 1996 and 2016 as Nikolas Cassadine. The role earned him a Daytime Emmy award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 2016, per Christopher's IMDb page. He also portrayed Stefan DiMera in "Days of Our Lives" from 2018 to 2019.

Shortly following Christopher's death, "General Hospital" executive producer Frank Valentini said he was "heartbroken" over the actor's passing in a statement to USA TODAY in October.

"He was kind, an incredible actor, and dear friend, who was beloved by our GH family and fans of Nikolas Cassadine," Valentini added. "On behalf of everyone at 'General Hospital,' our heartfelt sympathies go out to his loved ones during this difficult time."

Christopher married ESPN reporter Brienne Pedigo in 2008, and Pedigo filed for divorce in 2019. They had two children, Greysun and Boheme. He was previously married to "Desperate Housewives" actor Eva Longoria in 2002. The two split in 2004.

Tyler Christopher struggled with addiction since he was 9 years old

In May 2023, Christopher was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication at the Hollywood Burbank Airport after police officers found him sleeping on the floor, according to the Los Angeles Times. He was also arrested on suspicion of public intoxication in Indiana in 2019.

In a July 2023 interview with Bloomberg Law, the actor acknowledged he had a "relapse" at the airport but was back in recovery.

At age 9, Christopher had his first drink, he told Benard on the State Of Mind with Maurice Benard podcast in 2022. "When you become an addict at 9 years old, fast forward 40 years, at some point, you cannot survive it," Christopher said. "At some point it will kill you, and it has. Three times, I have flatlined. ... And they brought me back."

Two of those were from poisoning, and one was from withdrawal, he explained. He was experiencing delirium tremens, a severe form of alcohol withdrawal, which led to an accident that landed him in the hospital with a fractured skull.

In November 2019, Christopher "underwent life-saving craniotomy surgery" after hitting his head against a bathtub while experiencing alcohol withdrawals, he told Bloomberg Law.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental and/or substance use disorders, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's free and confidential treatment referral and information service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It's available 24/7 in English and Spanish (TTY: 1-800-487-4889).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tyler Christopher cause of death: Actor died of asphyxia, intoxication