Although an official cause of death has yet to be determined by the coroner’s office, which instead has deferred its findings “pending additional investigation,” reports indicate that “General Hospital” actress Lindsey Pearlman had left two suicide notes before her body was found last Friday in a car parked near Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles.
According to TMZ, citing law enforcement sources, Pearlman reportedly called her husband, Vance Smith, the day before her body was found telling him her intention to end her life. “Her husband contacted police in a frantic effort to find Lindsey. He never saw her alive again,” the website stated.
“We’re told Lindsey drove to the base of Runyon Canyon in Hollywood — a popular hiking spot — and swallowed enough pills to fatally overdose. A hiker came upon her car last Friday, saw her body inside and called police,” TMZ further revealed.
The outlet said that Pearlman had left a suicide note at her home and left one in her car which indicated that whoever was to find her that they were to call 911.
“Investigators learned Lindsey suffered from bouts of depression over the years, and it appears it just became too overwhelming,” said TMZ.
“Please know that you are never truly alone,” wrote Pearlman’s cousin, Savannah, on Twitter in the days following Lindsey’s death. She added, “Lindsey’s sister has asked that we share the National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255.”
Earlier this week, Sarah Ardalani, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, said Pearlman “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.”
Appearing on “General Hospital” over two episodes aired 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.
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.