‘Empire’ Star Lindsey Pearlman’s Cause of Death Revealed 6 Months After Being Discover Dead in Her Car

Lindsey Pearlman‘s cause of death has been confirmed after an autopsy by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner.

The former Empire cast member was discovered dead inside a vehicle earlier this year near the entrance of Runyon Canyon Park on February 18, the date the coroner listed as the day she died. She was 43.

‘Empire’ Star Lindsey Pearlman’s Cause of Death Revealed 6 Months After Being Discover Dead in Her Car

On Monday, the coroner officially ruled her death as a suicide caused by sodium nitrite toxicity, per a report obtained by PEOPLE.

The report also noted that “the presence of non-toxic levels of lorazepam, metoclopramide, and codeine” were found in Lindsey’s system.

Lindsey was reported missing on Feb. 13, prior to her death. Her cousin, Savannah Pearlman, tweeted on Feb. 17 that Lindsey’s phone was last pinged on Sunset Blvd. which was just 1.5 miles from where her body was located near the intersection of Franklin Ave. and North Sierra Bonita Ave.

Savannah also wrote in her Twitter thread at the time that Lindsey’s sister requested they share the National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255, adding, “Please know that you are never truly alone.”

Lindsey’s husband, Vance Smith, confirmed his wife’s death on Instagram, writing, “The police found Lindsey. She’s gone,” before adding: “I’m broken.”

The actress’ rep, Michael Chiaverini, also released a statement obtained by the outlet following the discovery of her body.

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“We are deeply saddened by Lindsey Pearlman’s passing today,” the statement read. “The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time while they process and grieve.”

Lindsey’s other notable television credits include roles in Selena: The Series on Netflix, The Ms. Pat Show on BET+, Sneaky Pete on Amazon Prime, American Housewife on ABC, and Vicious on Urbanflix.

Dynasty star Elaine Hendrix, who was among the celebrity friends involved in searching for Lindsey following her disappearance, “thanked everyone who shared Lindsey’s missing person report” via her Twitter account after learning about her death.

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“I’m deeply saddened & stunned to share that she was found deceased,” Hendrix wrote at the time. “Pls send her friends & family love. ????.”

While Ghost star Danielle Pinnock also mourned the loss of Lindsey in a tweet by honoring the Chicago native and her journey to Hollywood. The 33-year-old star also revealed she had talked to Lindsey two weeks prior to the tragedy.

“I met the most talented people ever in the Chi,” Pinnock wrote of the late actress describing Lindsey as “hilarious, goofy AF, stunning, and ridiculously gifted.”

“It feels surreal that she is gone,” Pinnock added.

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