The L.A. coroner's office has released the autopsy results for Kristoff St. John, who portrayed Neil Winters on "The Young and the Restless." The beloved actor died suddenly, over a month ago, shocking fans, as well as his castmates on the CBS daytime drama. St. John was found unresponsive in his home and pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. TMZ is reporting that the official cause of death was heart disease and accidental overdose of alcohol.
The soap veteran had been released from a mental health facility only two days earlier and it is speculated that he was having trouble dealing with his son Julian's suicide from almost two years earlier.
Battled mental illness
TMZ just reported on the official autopsy report from the L.A. coroner's office regarding the death of Kristoff St. John. The results indicated that his passing was accidental and that heart disease, as well as alcohol, were factors. Family and close friends reported that he had been distressed and battling his own demons after his son Julian committed suicide while in a mental health facility.
The actor had previously missed time off from "The Young and the Restless" to deal with personal issues but was always welcomed back on the show.
US Magazine is reporting that the "Y&R" veteran had been placed in a facility for a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation just a few days prior to his February 1 death. When he was found in his home, alcohol was mentioned and some people thought, that, like his son, he had ended his own life. The revelation that his death was accidental may bring some comfort to loved ones and fans, but St. John was still a talented man who left us too soon.
'Y&R' goes on without Kristoff
"The Young and the Restless" is planning a memorial tribute to the veteran actor in April, but for now, the show is going on without mentioning Kristoff St. John's character.
On Tuesday (March 19), two new individuals were introduced in Genoa City who have a connection to Kristoff's television family. It was revealed that Ana (the sister of Neil's adopted son, Devon), has been paying for medical care for her father, who is gravely ill.
There still has been no announcement of how "The Young and the Restless" will write Neil Winters out of the show. Fans should be on the lookout for spoiler alerts to update the situation. Continue watching the daytime drama, weekday afternoons on CBS at 12:30 PM ET. Kristoff St. John leaves behind a fiancee, as well as two teenage daughters.