The official cause of death for Tyler Christopher, a star of the popular soap opera “General Hospital,” was disclosed on Friday. Documents from the San Diego Medical Examiner, as reported by TMZ, indicate that Christopher’s death was due to positional asphyxia, a result of acute alcohol intoxication. This suggests that the actor’s position, combined with alcohol, led to his suffocation. The documents also reportedly state that his death was accidental, with coronary artery atherosclerosis listed as a contributing factor.
The representative for Christopher, Chi Muoi Lo, confirmed the cause of death in a statement to The Post. Lo expressed his grief over the loss of Christopher, stating that the world was a better place with him in it and that he will be missed forever. He described Christopher as a gift to those who loved him and were loved by him.
Christopher was found dead in his San Diego apartment on October 31 by an unidentified friend. The actor, known for his roles on “General Hospital,” was 50 years old. In 2019, he faced charges of public intoxication in Indiana after an Uber driver reported him. He had reportedly hailed a ride home but passed out and urinated on himself during the journey.
Christopher’s acting career spanned two decades on “General Hospital,” where he portrayed Nikolas Cassadine from 1996 to 2016 and Connor Bishop from 2004 to 2005. His performance earned him a Daytime Emmy in 2016, following four previous nominations. In 2017, he joined the cast of NBC’s “Days of Our Lives” as Stefan DiMera, a role that also earned him an Emmy nomination. He left the series in 2019 and was replaced by Brandon Barash.
Maurice Benard, Christopher’s co-star on “General Hospital,” confirmed his death on Instagram on October 31. Benard praised Christopher’s talent and his ability to light up the screen in every scene. He also highlighted Christopher’s advocacy for better mental health and substance use treatment, acknowledging his open struggle with bipolar depression and alcohol.
Lo also confirmed Christopher’s death, expressing his shock and devastation at the loss. He praised Christopher as a gifted actor and a wonderful friend, extending his condolences to Christopher’s loved ones.