General Hospital Actor Tyler Christopher's Official Cause of Death Revealed

The cause of death for Tyler Christopher—the General Hospital star who was previously married to Eva Longoria and engaged to Vanessa Marcil—was determined two months after he died at 50.

By Gabrielle Chung Jan 27, 2024 2:09 AMTags
Watch: Soap Star Tyler Christopher Dead at 50

Officials have shared insight into Tyler Christopher's cause of death.

The soap opera star suffocated to death from how his body was positioned while under the influence of alcohol, according to a report from the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office obtained by TMZ on Jan. 26. Officials listed Tyler's official cause of death in the document as positional asphyxia due to acute alcohol intoxication, with a contributing factor of coronary artery atherosclerosis—or a build-up of plaque in his arteries.

His death has been ruled as an accident, according to the document.

Prior to the coroner's report, Tyler's former General Hospital costar Maurice Benard said the actor died on Oct. 31 from heart-related issues at age 50.

"Tyler passed away this morning following a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment," he wrote in an Oct. 31 Instagram post. "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."

photos
Celebrity Deaths: 2024's Fallen Stars

Describing the actor as a "sweet soul and wonderful friend to all of those who knew him," Maurice continued, "Tyler was an advocate for better mental health and substance use treatment who openly spoke about his struggles with bipolar depression and alcohol."

Tyler starred as Nikolas Cassadine on General Hospital from 1996 to 2016, a role that won him a Daytime Emmy. In addition to his work on the ABC series, he portrayed Stefan DiMera on Days of Our Lives from 2001 to 2019.

However, the role Tyler treasured the most was being dad to son Greysun, 14, and daughter Boheme, 8, who he shared with ex Brienne Pedigo.

Maarten de Boer/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

"Never again will I take for granted spending time with my children," he wrote on Instagram in 2022, "doing all the little things that never before seemed monumental but are now everything to me."

Tyler added at the time, "Playing with my children has always brought the greatest joy. I am grateful for this new chapter in my life for the time it allows me to be close to them."

Before his marriage to Brienne, Tyler was engaged to Vanessa Marcil during the '90s and was married to Eva Longoria from 2002 to 2004.

Keep reading to see his life in photos:

2002

Tyler Christopher with actress and then-wife Eva Longoria at the Daytime Emmy Awards in New York City.

2003

The couple attended the Rose Education Foundation gala.

2007

The actor and Brienne Pedigo stepped out at the The Hills CD release party in West Hollywood, Calif., before tying the knot the following year.

2010

He starred as Nikolas Cassadine in General Hospital from 1996 to 2016.

2010

He's seen in an emotional scene with Rebecca Herbst.

2016

He earned a Daytime Emmy Award for General Hospital.

2018

He looked sharp at the NBCUniversal Winter Press Tour.

2018

Deidre Hall and Christopher posed for a Days of Our Lives photo shoot.

2018

Christopher's official portrait.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App