Erin Moran passed away on Saturday at the age of 56, and the actress’s likely cause of death has now been revealed.
The Happy Days star is believed to have died from stage 4 cancer, officials from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department announced.
“On Saturday the 22nd day of April, 2017, Erin Marie Moran-Fleischmann passed away at her residence located in New Salisbury, Indiana,” the statement read.
RIP: Happy Days star Erin Moran passed away on Saturday and likely died of stage 4 cancer, officials say | ABC
“A joint investigation into Mrs. Moran’s death was conducted by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and the Harrison County Coroner’s Office. A subsequent autopsy revealed that Mrs. Moran likely succumbed to complications of stage 4 cancer.”
The statement added that toxicology results are still pending, but no illegal drugs were found at Erin’s home. It was not revealed what kind of cancer the star had been suffering from.
Erin, who according to Variety had “fallen on hard times in recent years”, was cast as Joanie Cunningham in Happy Days when she was 13, and starred on the show throughout its run from 1974 to 1984.
The actress also appeared as the character in spinoff series Joanie Loves Chachi, which ran from 1982 to 1983, but has had few acting roles in the years since.
Such sad sad news. RIP Erin. I'll always choose to remember you on our show making scenes better, getting laughs and lighting up tv screens. https://t.co/8HmdL0JKlf
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) April 23, 2017
My sincere condolences. #ErinMoran #HappyDaysFamily pic.twitter.com/5b0AbioZEc
— Scott Baio (@ScottBaio) April 23, 2017
OH Erin… now you will finally have the peace you wanted so badly here on earth …Rest In It serenely now.. too soon
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) April 23, 2017
Following the news of her death on Saturday, Ron Howard (who portrayed Richie) tweeted, “Such sad sad news. RIP Erin. I’ll always choose to remember you on our show making scenes better, getting laughs and lighting up tv screens.”
Her former on and off-screen boyfriend Scott Baio (who played Chachi) shared on Facebook, “May people remember Erin for her contagious smile, warm heart, and animal loving soul. I always hoped she could find peace in her life. God has you now, Erin.”
And Henry Winkler, aka Fonzie, added, “OH Erin… now you will finally have the peace you wanted so badly here on earth …Rest In It serenely now.. too soon.”
