In a tragic turn of events, the medical examiner’s office in California has disclosed the reason behind the demise of Tyler Christopher, the acclaimed actor renowned for his role in “General Hospital.” The 50-year-old soap opera star was discovered lifeless in his apartment in October 2023.

The recently unveiled death certificate, obtained by TMZ on Jan. 26, unveils that the cause of the actor’s passing was “positional asphyxia,” a form of suffocation intensified by acute alcohol intoxication. Additionally, the documents cite “coronary artery atherosclerosis,” the accumulation of arterial plaque, as a contributing factor, leading the medical examiner to categorize the death as accidental.

Coronary artery atherosclerosis, identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the most common form of heart disease in the United States, arises from plaque accumulation in arteries supplying blood to the heart and other bodily regions.

News of Christopher’s passing was conveyed by a close friend via Instagram, revealing that the actor underwent a “cardiac event” in his San Diego apartment on Oct. 31, 2023—the very day he was discovered lifeless. The post emphasized Christopher’s fervent advocacy for enhanced mental health and substance use treatment, shedding light on his struggles with “bipolar depression” and alcohol.

Tyler Christopher’s life journey unfolded from his birth in Chicago on Nov. 11, 1972, to his upbringing in Delaware, Ohio. The portrayal of Nikolas Cassadine on “General Hospital” from 1996 to 2016 garnered him a Daytime Emmy and four additional nominations.

The actor also embodied Stefan DiMera on NBC’s “Days of Our Lives” from 2017 to 2019, securing another Daytime Emmy nod. Beyond the glitz of the screen, Christopher’s personal narrative intertwined with his 2008 marriage to ESPN reporter Brienne Pedigo, resulting in two children.

The couple parted ways in February 2019. Christopher’s poignant reflections on parenting, shared on Instagram in September 2022, resonated with the profound joys of spending time with his children, emphasizing the newfound significance of seemingly ordinary moments.