Lance Reddick's cause of death released: his family disagrees

Nearly a month after actor Lance Reddick suddenly died at the age of 60, his death certificate has been released to the public. It indicates a cause of death that his family appears to disagree with.

Photo: Getty / edited by Showbizz Daily

According to a copy of the death certificate obtained by TMZ, the cause of death was "Ischemic Heart Disease as well as Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease."

The family has communicated through its attorney that it completely rejects this report. It cites the supposed lack of accuracy in the investigation.

In a statement to People, attorney James Hornstein said: "I have represented Lance Reddick for many years and continue to represent his wife Stephanie. The coroner statement on the death certificate is not a result of an autopsy. No autopsy was performed on Lance."

The illness the coroner established as Lance Reddick's cause of death, consists of the accumulation of plaques (fatty deposits) in the arterial walls, the American Heart Association explains. These deposits are made up of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium, and other substances.

"Lance was the most physically fit person I’ve ever known," Reddick's lawyer said. "He exercised daily at his home gym, including extensive cardio work, and the availability of gym facilities was a contractual requirement for his work away from home."

In addition, Hornstein emphasized: "He ate as if a dietician was monitoring his every meal." For that reason, Reddick's family believes the death certificate can't be correct about his cause of death.

"The information appearing on the death certificate is wholly inconsistent with his lifestyle," the actor's attorney concluded. "On behalf of Stephanie Reddick, the death certificate information is not corroborated and is inconsistent with the facts known to the family."

In the days after Lance Reddick's unexpected death, his wife Stephanie reached out to followers and fans with a moving statement on Instagram. She did not give any details about the possible cause of his death, but she did say that "Lance was taken from us far too soon."

Picture: @thereallancereddick/ Instagram

Reddick also recognized how popular her late husband had been. "Thank you for all your overwhelming love, support, and beautiful stories shared on these platforms over the last day," Stephanie Reddick posted. "I see your messages and can't begin to express how grateful I am to have them."

An actor famous for his role in 'The Wire,' 'Fringe,' and 'John Wick,' Lance Reddick was found dead at his home in Studio City, in Los Angeles, on Friday morning, March 17, around 09:30.

A particularly painful thing about the matter is that, just hours before he died, the actor had shared a photo with his dogs on Instagram in which he seemed calm and relaxed.

"Onscreen and off, it's no surprise I love spoiling my dogs," Lance Reddick posted in his last message on Instagram.

Photo: @thereallancereddick / Instagram

In what would be the last weeks of his life, the actor participated in press meetings for John Wick 4, the movie in which he played Charon.

However, as TMZ reports, the actor was absent from the John Wick 4 premiere in New York, held on March 15, two days before his death.

On that day, the actor shared a video recorded at home, together with his dogs, but he did not explain why he had not gone to the presentation of the film.

Lance Reddick leaves behind a legacy of great television. He was known as an actor who made serious art out of the characters he played.

His television filmography is particularly important and he has participated in several of the best series in the 21st century so far - the most important being 'The Wire.'

An iconic role was that of Lieutenant Cedric Daniels, one of the main characters of 'The Wire' (2002-2008, HBO), a series that tops many lists of the best in the past 20 years.

In the movie world, it was the John Wick saga that brought him worldwide and mainstream fame, thanks to Charon, the Continental's receptionist, very polite and formal.

Two years earlier, Lance Reddick had participated in Oz, a well-known, prison series of excellent quality, giving life to Desmond Mobay and Det. Johnny Basil.

He also appeared in four episodes of the masterpiece  'Lost', in the shoes of Matthew Abaddon, and in 'Bosch', where he gave life to police chief Irvin Irving.

Interestingly, it was science fiction and a revolutionary series like 'Fringe' that gave Lance Reddick his longest-running role.

For 90 episodes, he gave life to the memorable agent Phillip Broyles. One of his co-stars, Anna Torv, poses in this photo with Reddick.

Now, beyond film and television, Lance Reddick also had a prolific career. He lent his voice to characters in video games such as 'Destiny', 'Qunatum Break', 'Horizon Zero Down' or John Wick Hex, among many others. In fact, when thanking the fans for supporting her, Stephanie Reddick specifically mentioned the 'Destiny' players for their tribute.

The actor leaves Stephanie Day a widow, the woman he married in 2011. They had two children together, Yvonne and Christopher, the Daily Mail reports.

Fans and colleagues have said goodbye to the star. Co-star Wendell Pierce from 'The Wire,' for example, said on Twitter: "A man of great strength and grace. As talented a musician as he was an actor. The epitome of class. A sudden unexpected sharp painful grief for our artistic family. An unimaginable suffering for his personal family and loved ones. Godspeed my friend. You made your mark here. RIP"

The makers of 'John Wick 4,' which premieres in theaters on March 24, 2023, sent out the following statement: "We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick. He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly."