Looking Back at Shocking Deaths in 2018

December 25, 2018

AceShowbiz -Amid the glittering and glamorous entertainment industry, there are always sad stories easily overshadowed by endless sensations and latest scandals, like the deaths of those involved in the business. As much as how good news is enthusiastically celebrated by fans, celebrities’ passing is often greatly mourned not only by those close to them, but also those who know them only through their works.

This year alone, the world lost many talented artists who left big imprints in their fields, like singing legend Aretha Franklin and comic book maestro Stan Lee. While they died of natural causes, there were some others whose deaths caused a wave of shock due to the tragic nature or the sudden timing.

Before we close another chapter at the end of the year, let’s take a look back at some shocking deaths in 2018.

1. Mark Salling

Mark Salling‘s last years of his life wasn’t as flattering as his heydays when starring on “Glee“. Best known for his role as Noah “Puck” Puckerman on the FOX musical drama series, the actor/musician didn’t receive much attention after the show was over, until he was arrested for possession of child pornography in 2015. He pled guilty to the charge in 2017 and was facing four to seven years in jail. However, weeks before his sentencing, he committed suicide on January 30. He was found hanging from a tree in the area of the Los Angeles River in Sunland when police did a welfare check, six hours after he was reported missing. A few months before, he reportedly attempted to commit suicide by cutting his wrists but then he “freaked out” and screamed for his roommate, who then called 911. He was 35.

2. Dolores O’Riordan

Dolores O’Riordan died suddenly on January 15 at the London Hilton on Park Lane in Mayfair. The 46-year-old singer, who rose to fame as the lead singer of rock band The Cranberries with their hit songs such as “Linger” and “Zombie”, was in London for a recording session. While she had struggled with bipolar disorder and ongoing drinking, she didn’t show any signs of a mental breakdown as she left a cheerful message to her longtime friend Dan Waite hours before her death. The Irish singer previously composed a suicide note in September 2017, but doctor Robert Hirschfield said in his psychiatric report after a phone conversation with her in December that she was “doing well,” had no suicidal thoughts and “was not drinking.” But toxicology tests later revealed that she had been drinking heavily which led to alcohol intoxication and accidental drowning.

3. Kate Spade

Not even fame and wealth could spare someone from mental illness, which in Kate Spade’s case led to her tragic passing. The founder and former co-owner of the famous handbag brand hanged herself at her Park Avenue home in Manhattan on June 5. She left a suicide note to her only child Frances Beatrix and husband Andy Spade in which she allegedly told her daughter that her death was not her daughter’s fault. Kate’s sister Reta Saffo later revealed that she was battling depression and anxiety, and was having a relationship problem with her husband prior to taking her own life. Reta claimed she and her family had tried to get the fashion and bag designer treatment for her mental illness, but she refused. “Sometimes you simply cannot SAVE people from themselves!” Reta said.

4. Jon Paul Steuer

Jon Paul Steuer started his career early and soon also it was over. The former child actor, known for being the first to play Alexander Rozhenko in “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, quit acting at 12 years old after getting fed up with questions about the scandal caused by his “Grace Under Fire” co-star Brett Butler. He began his foray into music in 2003 and performed with P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. since 2017. He owned a vegan restaurant, Harvest at the Bindery, in Portland at the time of his death on January 1. The cause of death was not immediately made public, but five months later it was revealed that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It remains unclear what drove Jon to make the decision to end his life, but people will always remember him as the little Klingon.

5. Avicii

The world lost another great talent at a young age when Avicii passed away on April 20. The Swedish DJ, whose real name is Tim Bergling, was found dead in Muscat, Oman at 28 years old. He had retired from performing live in 2016 after diagnosed with acute pancreatitis caused by excessive alcohol use. No cause of death was immediately given, but a statement released by his family hinted at his struggle. “He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace,” part of the statement read. Words were his family had been worrying about his mental state and his brother flew to Oman, but he arrived a few hours late. The “Wake Me Up” hitmaker reportedly died of excessive loss of blood due to self-inflicted injuries with a broken wine bottle.

6. Verne Troyer

Despite gaining fame for playing Mini-Me in the “Austin Powers” film series, Verne Troyer made rare screen appearances in the latter days of his life. Instead, he often grabbed headlines with scandals about his private life, from an annulled marriage to a leaked sex tape. Perhaps those events contributed to the 49-year-old actor’s mental health issue as his family released a statement following his death on April 21, raising awareness for “depression and suicide.” Weeks before his passing, he was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning. It was reported that he was suicidal, repeatedly telling medics he “wanted to die.” He soon suffered respiratory distress and had to be placed on life support, but never recovered. His death was later ruled a suicide.

7. XXXTENTACION

While some hip-hop stars are often involved in gang-related violence, XXXTENTACION was purely a victim in this crime. The “Look at Me” rapper was shot in a robbery when leaving a motorcycle dealership in Florida on June 18. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. It was ever more tragic as the mother of the 20-year-old star, whose real name is Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, revealed several days later that his girlfriend was pregnant with their child. Four men have been arrested in connection to the incident. At such young age, XXXTENTACION left “a huge musical footprint” with his distinct music that influenced other artists and his young fanbase.

8. Kim Porter

For the world, Kim Porter was a model. For her family, she was a loving mother. For everyone who knew her in person, she was an angel. That’s why her sudden passing was a great loss for those close to her. The ex-girlfriend of Sean “P. Diddy” Combs was found dead in her home in Toluca Lake on November 15. She was reportedly not feeling well and taking Saline and vitamins to battle what was thought to be the flu or pneumonia. She was laid to rest in a gold casket on November 24 with the funeral being attended by Diddy, her other ex Al B. Sure as well as her celebrity friends including Kimora Lee Simmons, NeNe Leakes and Faith Evans. Meanwhile, Beyonce Knowles, Missy Elliott and LL Cool J were among those who paid tribute to the 47-year-old actress.

9. Mac Miller

Mac Miller always knew his drug abuse would lead him to no good. Yet, he could never completely distance himself from the substance and lost his life to the bad habit. The “Self Care” rapper, who had been open about his struggle with depression after gaining fame and his use of drugs to deal with it, was found unresponsive in his Studio City home on September 7 at 26 years old. He had shown signs of a downward spiral following his breakup with Ariana Grande as he was arrested for DUI in August. Hours before his passing, he appeared to hint that he was getting high in his last Instagram post. Toxicology reports later confirmed that he died from an accidental drug overdose due to a “mixed drug toxicity” of fentanyl, alcohol and cocaine.

10. Anthony Bourdain

Behind his passion for cooking and love for food, Anthony Bourdain was a lonely soul. The celebrity chef, who is known for his shows “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” and “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown“, committed suicide by hanging while staying in a hotel in Kraysersberg, France during the filming of his CNN travel show. His untimely passing sent shock waves among fellow chefs and other public figures, such as Andrew Zimmern, Gordon Ramsay as well as former President Barack Obama. While he had been battling depression, his girlfriend Asia Argento claimed she was not aware of his suicidal thoughts.

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