The official cause of death for actor TK Carter has been publicly disclosed, concluding an investigation that lasted nearly a month after his body was discovered at his residence in Duarte, California. Authorities confirmed on Thursday that the performer, best known for his role in John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic The Thing, succumbed to systolic heart failure at the age of 69.
Investigation and Discovery Details
Law enforcement sources reported that Carter was found deceased on January 9, following a welfare check initiated by concerned family members who had not heard from him for several days. The relatives informed officials that Carter had been managing high blood pressure, and his brother Harold later revealed the actor had been contending with diabetes, ongoing cardiac issues, and various other health problems in the months leading up to his passing.
Medical Examiner's Official Findings
According to information obtained by TMZ, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office formally listed systolic heart failure as the primary cause of death. The report also identified pulmonary hypertension and atrial fibrillation as significant contributing factors in the actor's demise. These conditions align with the health challenges previously disclosed by his family.
Circumstances Surrounding the Discovery
Last month, Harold Carter provided additional context about the discovery, noting that his brother was found beside a marble table and appeared to have sustained a head injury. Authorities confirmed Carter was alone when discovered, though the exact duration he had been at the residence remains undetermined. His personal physician agreed to sign the death certificate, facilitating the official documentation process.
Family Response and Tributes
Harold Carter shared heartfelt reflections with TMZ, describing his brother as "a very uplifting person, always funny" and "a good person." He emphasized the actor's strong faith and the deep affection he garnered from friends and family, stating, "We miss him, he had a lot of friends and family. We will always cherish him. He had a relationship with God and his faith was very important to him."
The police response to the welfare check early last month involved meeting family members at the Duarte home, where authorities subsequently located Carter's body. This development brings closure to the investigative phase while highlighting the health struggles the actor faced privately.
