Bobby J Brown, the US actor best known for his role in the HBO series The Wire, has died in a barn fire at his home in Maryland. He was 62.
According to the Maryland state fire marshal's office, Brown entered a barn at his residence in Chaptico on 24 February at about 10pm to jumpstart a car. The vehicle ignited during the attempt, and Brown asked his wife for a fire extinguisher. By the time she returned, the blaze had spread rapidly, and she burned her hands trying to reach him.
Firefighters were called and found Brown inside the barn. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The state medical examiner's office ruled the death an accident, caused by diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation.
Brown's daughter, Reina Samara Brown, posted a statement online describing her loss as 'devastating'. 'It hurts in a way that sits heavy in my chest and does not move,' she wrote. She urged others to cherish time with their parents and 'ask the extra question' about how they are doing.
Brown grew up in Washington DC and was a champion amateur boxer before turning to acting. He appeared in shows such as Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, but was best known for playing an officer in 12 episodes of The Wire from 2002 to 2008. He also starred in the 2022 HBO miniseries We Own This City.
Brown is the third cast member of The Wire to die since December, following James Ransone and Isiah Whitlock Jr. Other deceased cast members include Michael Kenneth Williams, Lance Reddick and Reg E Cathey.
