Sad breaking news this Sunday night as the shocking reports come rolling in that popular actor Anton Yelchin has died at age 27. The details of his untimely death are still not entirely clear at the time of writing this article, but according to TMZ – who broke the news – Yelchin was involved in a “freak” accident involving his car.
Yelchin’s friends became alarmed because he was supposed to meet them hours earlier for a rehearsal. They went to his San Fernando Valley home at around 1 AM and found him pinned between his car and a brick mailbox, which was attached to a security gate.
Law enforcement tells us the engine was running when his body was discovered, and the car was in neutral. The driveway was on a fairly steep incline. It’s unclear why he got out of the car.
Associated Press confirmed his death with his publicist. At this point, LA police do not suspect any foul play, and it appears that this was just an incredibly sad and unexpected accident.
UPDATE: LA Police have now released an official statement confirming details around Yelchin’s death:
“On Sunday, June 19 at 1:10 in the morning, a fatal traffic collision occurred. It was the result of the victim’s own car rolling backwards down his steep driveway, pinning him against a brick mailbox pillar and security fence. The victim was on his way to meet his friends for rehearsal. And when he didn’t show up, his friends went to his house, where they found him deceased by his car. It appeared he had momentarily exited his car leaving it in the driveway.”
Yelchin was born in Russia to professional figure skater parents who moved to America when he was just a baby. He started his career in minor roles in indie films, but really had his breakthrough in 2006’s Alpha Dog and 2007’s Charlie Bartlett. He then went on to star in a number of big Hollywood productions, including the Fright Night remake, Odd Thomas, The Green Room and Terminator: Salvation among others. However where he really garnered the most fame and success was in playing Ensign Pavel Chekov in JJ Abrams’ Star Trek reboot and its sequels, the latest of which – Star Trek Beyond – hits theatres at the end of next month.
RIP Anton Yelchin
Last Updated: June 19, 2016
RinceThis
June 19, 2016 at 20:57
Truly sad news. This year is an dick.
TriangularRoom
June 20, 2016 at 07:01
This reads like one of those ridiculous death scenes in horror movies that couldn’t possibly happen in real life D:
HvR
June 20, 2016 at 08:47
RIP
wicktor wicktor
Admiral Chief Maximum Effort
June 20, 2016 at 08:47
;-(
Skyblue
June 20, 2016 at 19:18
Loved him in Odd Thomas and Alpha Dog