A little over a month after the cause of David Gail’s death was released to the public, more details about the Beverly Hills 90210 star’s passing have been revealed.
The late actor notably passed away at the age of 56 on Jan. 16. The official cause of death was from anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a brain injury resulting from lack of blood.
This follows resuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest due to drug intoxication from substances. Among the substances found in his system were amphetamines, cocaine, ethanol, and fentanyl.
According to PEOPLE, David Gail’s mother, Mary Painter, released a statement about the actor’s sudden death. “It breaks my heart to learn that my son died this way,” she stated.
Painter pointed out that Gail had become reliant on medicine many years ago due to multiple surgeries on his hands and wrists.
“He lived in enough pain to prevent him from working for almost a decade,” she continued. “With relief only achieved through full disability, physical therapy, and pain medicine.”
Painter then explained how David Gail had struggled to stop taking medication. He then turned towards a more “Eastern pain management” approach.
This included having acupuncture done and using natural medicines. “I can only assume that his former opioid dependence played a part in self-medicating from uncontrolled sources.”
Painter also said she hoped that the death of her son would help bring awareness to the dangers of pharmaceutical addiction as well as the fentanyl epidemic.
“David’s death shines a light on the countless innocent victims of pharmaceutical addiction and the fentanyl epidemic that has taken so many of our sons and daughters,” she added. “Please keep David, and others battling pain or dependence, in your thoughts and prayers.”
Gail is survived by his mother, sister, and son, Guthier.
David Gail’s Sister Announced His Death in a Touching Tribute on Instagram
Days after David Gail died, his sister Katie took to Instagram to announce his passing in a touching tribute.
“There’s barely been even a day in my life when you were not with me by my side,” she wrote about her brother. “Always my wingman always my best friend ready to face anything and anyone [with] me the bears will never be the same.”
David Gail’s sister then said she would be holding him tightly in her heart every day. “You gorgeous loving amazing fierce human being missing you every second of every day forever there will never be another.”
David Gail started his acting career in 1990 by appearing on Growing Pains. He landed the role as Tom on Beverly Hills 90210 in 1991 for one episode. He returned to the series as recurring character Stuart Carson in 1993.
Other shows he was in included Savannah, Port Charles, ER, and JAG.