Former ALF actor Benji Gregory’s cause of death has been revealed after he tragically died at the age of 46.
As previously reported, Gregory was found deceased in his car in Peoria, Arizona, on June 13, which was parked at a Chase Bank.
According to his sister Rebecca Hertzberg-Pfaffinger, who spoke with TMZ, Gregory was discovered with his service dog, Hans, who was also found dead.
In July, she wrote on Facebook: “[Gregory’s family believes] he went there the evening of the 12th to deposit some residuals. (Found in his car) and never got out of the car to do so,” adding: “He fell asleep and died from vehicular heatstroke.”
Gregory’s death has been ruled as an accident by The Maricopa Medical Examiner’s Office, per another report from TMZ.
Officials shared that the actor suffered from environmental “heat exposure in the setting of hepatic cirrhosis,” which is scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by long-term liver damage.
The National Library of Medicine noted that following a “chronic injury, most of the liver tissue becomes fibrotic, leading to loss of function and the development of cirrhosis.”
The late actor rose to fame at the age of eight after portraying Brian Tanner in the sitcom, which aired from 1986 to 1990.
The show followed the title character, an Alien Life Form named Gordon Shumway, who crashes into the garage of the Tanner family's suburban home.
After ALF concluded in 1990, Gregory appeared in several other TV programs, including Fantastic Max, Pound Puppies, and The Twilight Zone.
In 2003, Gregory left the entertainment industry and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, specializing as an aerographer's mate, focusing on meteorology and oceanography, before being discharged in 2005 for medical reasons.
Many fans have shared their tribute messages under Gregory’s final Instagram post, which was shared on April 10 and featured a comment about his dog, Hans: “Wish my dog, Hans, would grow out of this ‘tagging’ phase already.”
“I stay with the memories. You made my childhood better. Your beloved dog guides you on your journey,” one fan wrote. “My Deepest Thoughts and Prayers go out to Benjamin's Family and Friends!” a second said.
“Rest in peace. I hope the other side offers you more comfort and peace than this world did,” a third sweetly added.
In July, Gregory’s sister shared a heartbreaking tribute post, which read: “It is with a heavy heart my family has suffered a loss way too early.
“Ben was a great Son, brother, and Uncle. He was fun to be around and made us laugh quite often,” she continued. “Still, going through his things, I find myself laughing at little videos or notes of his, in between crying.”
The late star’s sister went on to disclose that her brother suffered from depression, and bipolar disorder and had a sleep disorder that would force him to stay awake for days, per Page Six.
Our thoughts continue to be with Gregory’s loved ones at this time.
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