The cause of death of The Wire actor Bobby J. Brown has been confirmed more than four months after he died in a devastating fire. The actor died aged 62 on February 24 after becoming trapped in a blaze at a barn in Maryland. Officials have now confirmed he died from diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation, with his death ruled an accident. Brown's death shocked fans of the acclaimed HBO drama, in which he appeared, as well as colleagues from across the entertainment industry. Following the tragedy, his daughter Reina recalled the heartbreaking moment she learned her father had died.
She was woken by a late-night phone call from her younger sister, who told her their father had been caught in a barn fire. Unable to process the news, Reina explained she stepped outside barefoot to convince herself she wasn't dreaming.
"I couldn't believe it," she previously said. "I was like, this isn't real. And I still don't even feel like it's real." She also revealed that as the fire spread, Brown had called for a family member to bring him a fire extinguisher.
Paying tribute, she described her father as "an amazing human being" who was "a pillar in the community", adding that he would be deeply missed.
Brown's longtime agent, Albert Bramante, also honoured the late actor following his death.
In a statement, he said: "Bobby J. Brown was an actor of immense talent and even greater integrity."
He added that Brown's dedication to acting defined his career and asked for privacy on behalf of his loved ones.
Before finding success on screen, Brown enjoyed an accomplished boxing career, winning five Golden Gloves titles before studying acting in New York.
He went on to build an extensive television career with appearances in The Wire, The Corner, We Own This City, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Homicide: Life on the Street.
Away from acting, Brown also directed documentaries, including Off the Chain, which examined the abuse of pit bull terriers in the United States. According to his IMDb biography, he donated a third of the film's profits to support animal welfare through the Humane Society.
His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends, colleagues and fans, who remembered him both for his acting talent and his work beyond the screen.
