The cause of death of former child star Evan Ellingson has officially been revealed by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner.
On November 5, it was announced that Ellingson, who was best known for his recurring role in CSI: Miami as well as the 2009 movie My Sister's Keeper, had sadly died in his home in Fontana, California.
The news was first reported by TMZ, who said the devastating news had been confirmed by officials and Ellingson's father. The San Bernardino County coroner's office told the outlet that the actor's body was discovered in a bedroom.
The 35-year-old's family released an emotional statement stating that while the actor relapsed during his battle with addiction, he was dedicated to helping others recover themselves. "Our family is heartbroken by the sudden passing of our beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, Evan," they said, as cited by Today.
The family penned that the young star "was one of the most caring individuals who loved Jesus with all his heart," adding: "He had a sweet, child-like spirit with a smile that could light up a room. He was always thinking of others and wanted to use his own struggles with addiction to help people find hope."
Expanding upon his relapse after three years of sobriety, they shared: "He was passionate about pointing individuals to resources for help. While in the end, he fell in his earthly battle with addiction, he was able to choose Jesus as his Lord and Savior and receive eternal life with Him. We already miss Evan and cherish every moment of joy, laughter, and love that he brought to us and so many others."
Following an autopsy carried out on November 6, The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's coroner has since listed Ellingson's manner of death as an "Accident", as of November 28.
A spokesperson for the coroner's department told PEOPLE that the Complete Savages actor sadly passed away from an accidental fentanyl overdose.
Ellingson hasn't appeared onscreen in over 10 years.
His final movie role was in My Sister's Keeper, directed by Nick Cassavetes, which sees him take on the role of the son of Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric and the brother of Abigail Breslin. The film, based on Jodi Picoult’s 2004 novel, also starred Sofia Vassilieva and Alec Baldwin.
Abigail Breslin, who co-starred with Ellingson as his sister in My Sister's Keeper, paid tribute to the actor on Instagram, remembering him as "a kind, funny and extremely talented human being."
"Evan was a genuinely thoughtful person who cared so much about turning in the best performance, which he accomplished," she penned. "Some of his scenes in MSK still give me chills. He was also silly, funny, a prankster, a lover of Red Bull (I hated the smell of Red Bull) and he was energetic and the life of the party."
The 27-year-old added: "I didn’t keep in touch a lot with him after the film, but he always stayed in my mind as a wonderful and sweet soul, one I am grateful to have crossed paths with. My prayers and condolences are with his family at this difficult time."
Our thoughts are with Ellingson's family, friends, and fans at this difficult time.
