The death of “General Hospital” actress Lindsey Pearlman garnered international attention on Friday when it was announced her body had been found days after she was reported missing by her family to the Los Angeles Police Department. Now comes word that following an autopsy the coroner has “deferred, pending additional investigation” her cause of death.

According to the LAPD, at around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, February 18, officers responded to a radio call for a death investigation at Franklin Avenue and North Sierra Bonita Avenue. The body was later confirmed to be that of Pearlman whose full name was Lindsey Erin Pearlman. “The cause of death will be determined by the coroner,” the department said in a statement at the time.

Per Deadline, Sarah Ardalani, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, said of Pearlman, “She was examined by a physician and a cause of death was deferred.” She noted, “Deferred means that after an autopsy, a cause of death has not been determined and the medical examiner is requesting more investigation into the death, including additional studies. Once the tests/studies come back, the doctor evaluates the case again and makes the cause of death determination.”

It can take several weeks before any updates can be provided on the manner and time of death. In the meantime, the case remains open and is being investigated by the police.

“The police found Lindsey. She’s gone. I’m broken,” read a message posted on Instagram by Pearlman’s husband, Vance Smith, on Friday, February 18. “I will share more later, but I wanted to [sic] thank you to everyone for their love and efforts and ask you to respect the privacy of her family at this time.” Smith’s Instagram account has since gone private.

“Lindsey was a fierce animal advocate and a talented actress. Please consider a donation to @SanteDOr in her honor,” read a message on Twitter by Pearlman’s cousin, Savannah, who had been relentlessly seeking the public’s help in finding Lindsey.

Appearing on the daytime soap over two episodes in January 2020, Pearlman portrayed the role of barista Margaret “Maggie” McMorris. She shared scenes with series stars Maurice Benard, Steve Burton and Max Gail when their characters traveled to Brooklyn, NY so that Sonny (Benard) could get Mike (Gail) to take part in a clinical trial to help treat his Alzheimer’s disease. In a clip (shown below), Pearlman’s Maggie was used as a human shield at the Brooklyn Union Pub where she worked when Jason (Burton) shot a hitman to save her life.

“Lindsey Pearlman was terrific on @GeneralHospital and we are saddened to hear of this tragedy. Our hearts go out to her family and friends,” said “General Hospital” executive producer Frank Valentini.

In addition to her recurring role on “General Hospital,” Pearlman’s other television credits included such shows as “Selena: The Series,” “American Housewife,” “The Purge,” “Chicago Justice” and “Empire,” among others. She also appeared as the lead in such films as “Signal to Noise” and “Pry Me Open.” In theatre, she appeared in numerous productions, including “Trevor,” “The Eight: Reindeer Monologues,” and “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.”

According to her website, Pearlman was a graduate of The Second City Conservatory and had been an active member in the Chicago theater scene before relocating to Los Angeles for more on-camera opportunities.

Pearlman was just 43 years old.