The soap opera world was taken aback by the death of Emmy-winning actor Kristoff St. John. The actor, who portrayed Neil Winters on the CBS daytime drama The Young and The Restless, died at the age of 52 at his home in California back in February. St. John’s death drew an outpouring of grief from many in the acting world, including his former Y&R co-stars Shemar Moore, who portrayed his brother Malcolm Winters, and Victoria Rowell, who played Drucilla Winters, his other half as the iconic supercouple. Now, the cause of the Emmy winner’s death has been revealed.

The coroner’s office has declared St. John’s death as accidental and ruled that “hypertrophic heart disease and effects of ethanol” as the official cause of death.

Kristoff St. John portrayed the role of Neil Winters on the daytime drama from 1991 right up until his death. The part earned him two Daytime Emmy Awards in 1992 and 2008, as well as six additional nominations. St. John, along with Rowell, Moore and Tonya Lee Williams, pulled in a substantial Black audience during their time on the long-running CBS soap in the ‘90s.

READ MORE:

Shemar Moore Mourns The Death Of His On-Screen ‘Young And The Restless’ Brother, Kristoff St. John

Soap Opera Legend, ‘The Young And The Restless’ Star Kristoff St. John Found Dead at 52

 

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards