Beloved General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor has passed away.
As People reports, less than a week following his murder, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner determined Wactor died “from a gunshot wound to the chest. His manner of death is listed as a homicide.”
According to TMZ, Wactor was killed when he came up on several people reportedly trying to steal the catalytic converter out of his car. Wactor’s mom, Scarlett, confirmed the actor’s passing in an interview with TMZ.
According to Scarlett, Wactor was escorting a coworker to her car during the early morning hours of May 25 when they came up on the three suspects standing around his car.
As Scarlett continued, she said she was told Wactor didn’t try to fight or stop them but the “men shot him anyway” before fleeing the scene.
Wactor was pronounced dead at the hospital. He was just 37 years old.
His agent David Shaul shared a statement with Variety following his tragic passing.
“Johnny Wactor was a spectacular human being. Not just a talented actor who was committed to his craft but a real moral example to everyone who knew him. Standing for hard work, tenacity and a never give up attitude. In the highs and lows of a challenging profession he always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be.”
Shaul continued, “Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on everyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever.”
Wactor’s brother also shared a statement with the Daily Mail.
“We’re Southern, born and raised, and we would never let a female walk to their car by herself,” Grant said of his brother’s last moments.
“He came across them and he thought his truck was being towed. So he said something to the guys, like, ‘Hey, are you towing?’ And then once he turned around, he saw what was happening and he put his coworker behind him. And that’s when they shot him,” Grant explained, saying that Wactor usually bartended on the side.
The bullet hit the 37-year-old in the chest, Grant told the Daily Mail.
“My brother was probably the hardest working person I’ve ever met in my life. He was a great brother and son,” Grant said. “Anyone he touched, he made a great impact. He was as charismatic in real life as he was on camera. And he was always genuine, through and through.”