Kristoff St. John Cause of Death Revealed by LA Coroner

Kristoff St. John Arrival (Credit: Deposit Photos)

Soap opera actor Kristoff St. John died of heart disease, the Los Angeles County Coroner confirmed Tuesday.

The Young & the Restless star’s official cause of death was listed as “hypertrophic heart disease,” a condition that thickens the heart muscle and can make it harder for the heart to pump blood, according to the Mayo Clinic. Due to a lack of symptoms, it’s common for the condition to go undiagnosed.

The coroner ruled the manner of death as accidental, adding alcohol was a contributing factor.

“Other significant conditions: myocardial bridging of left anterior descending coronary artery and effects of ethanol,” the report read. “The manner of death has been certified as an accident.”

Read More: ‘Young and the Restless’ Fans React to Kristoff St. John Tribute

St. John played Neil Winters on "Y&R". (Credit: CBS)
St. John played Neil Winters on “Y&R”. (Credit: CBS)

St. John was pronounced dead at his home in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019. The actor was 52.

At the time of his death, St. John was grieving the loss of his 24-year-old son, Julian. The young man committed suicide in November 2014, during a stay at a mental health hospital in Long Beach, Calif.

St. John and his first wife, boxer Mia St. John, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the facility claiming negligence by staff members.

Read More: Shemar Moore Shares Heartfelt Tribute to Kristoff St. John

Y&R paid tribute to St. John and his character, Neil Winters, during its Friday, Feb. 8 episode. The homage occurred at the end of the episode, with stock footage of the actor reflecting on his Y&R legacy.

“It feels like a real accomplishment,” he said. “I’ve been a part of something that will somehow be in a time capsule… and I’m part of that? Yeah, I’m one of the brothas on The Young and the Restless, I’m one of the sons. I’m one of the family members. I was there. Yeah, man, Neil Winters was an integral part.”

The show plans to air a storyline dedicated to the Emmy-winning actor and his character on Apri 29. “Today’s tribute during #YR is only the beginning,” Y&R‘s Twitter account tweeted following the tribute.

St. John’s former castmates, Shemar Moore (Malcolm Winters), Victoria Rowell (Drucilla Winters) and Mishael Morgan (Hilary Curtis Winters), will participate in “several episodes” of the show to pay their “final respects,” Entertainment Weekly reported Tuesday.