Robert Carradine’s cause of death: Details emerge after family confirms suicide

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains references to suicide.


‘Revenge of the Nerds’ star Robert Carradine passed away on Monday, February 23 at the age of 71. Now the details of the actor’s cause of death have been revealed, after his family released a statement.

Details of Robert Carradine’s cause of death

According to TMZ, Carradine's death has been officially ruled a suicide, and he took his own life by hanging, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. As per the report, the manner of death was listed as suicide and the cause of death was sequelae of anoxic brain injury and hanging. In other words, he died from a lack of oxygen to the brain.

Robert Carradine’s family statement

Earlier, Robert Carradine’s family revealed he'd been battling bipolar depression for decades prior to his death. In a statement to PEOPLE, the family said, “In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him," the statement continued. "We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder. We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness. At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.”

A look back at Robert Carradine’s film journey

Robert Carradine made his onscreen debut in 1972 opposite John Wayne in ‘The Cowboys.’ He went on to appear in Martin Scorsese’s mafia crime drama ‘Mean Streets’ in 1973, and in Hal Ashby’s Oscar-winning film ‘Coming Home’ in 1978 with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight. Carradine also starred in the comedy franchise ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ as one of the titular nerds, Lewis Skolnick. He had a memorable role in Escape From L.A. opposite Kurt Russell in 1996.

He was last seen as Hilary Duff's onscreen father, Sam in the hit Disney Channel show ‘Lizzie McGuire’, and ‘The Lizzie McGuire Movie,’ from 2001 to 2004. After Carradine's death, Duff honoured the late actor on Instagram post that read, "This one hurts."

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