L.A. County coroner's investigators announced today that the
autopsy of the former child star Brad Renfro, who died at his Los Angeles home, is scheduled for Thursday.
According to Coroner's office Lt. Cheryl MacWillie, who spoke with People.com, said
it takes several weeks to get toxicology test results. So, the cause of death could
remain unknown after Thursday’s autopsy.
Renfro, who was 25 year old, was found unresponsive in his
Wilshire-area home in the 1000 block of South Ogden Drive by his girlfriend,
authorities said.
Los Angeles Times reported that the friends of Brad Renfro
have told L.A. County coroner's investigators that he
was drinking before his death Tuesday. "There is no suspicion of foul
play," LAPD Lt. David Evans said.
Renfro was declared dead by paramedics at 9 a.m., according
to coroner's spokesman Ed Winter.
"I can confirm that Brad Barron Renfro is
deceased," Winter said. "He was found unresponsive in a residence ...
Paramedics responded and he was pronounced dead at 9 a.m. (Pacific Time)."
Renfro’s lawyer, Richard Kaplan, ruled out the possibility
that his death was connected to any of his addiction problems saying "He
was working hard on his sobriety. He was doing well. He was a nice
person."
Two years ago, Renfro was arrested for allegedly trying to
buy heroin and served 10 days in jail after pleading no-contest to driving
while intoxicated and guilty to attempted possession of heroin. Additionally,
Renfro was ordered to complete a drug treatment program and was placed on three
years probation.
Following one of his court appearances, he talked to
reporters about his drug rehabilitation, saying he was "tired of paying
the consequences" for drinking and drug use and eager to get clean. "It's
definitely been an eye-opener," he said of his rehabilitation program.
Other run-ins with the law included a 1998 charge of cocaine
and marijuana possession, for which he avoided jail time in a plea deal, while
in 2001, he was placed on probation nd ordered to pay $4,000 for repairs to a
45-foot yacht he and a friend tried to steal in Florida in August 2000.
Renfro recently wrapped up shooting for a new movie, the
film adaptation of a Bret Easton Ellis novel, "The Informers," also
starring Winona Ryder, Brandon Routh and Billy Bob Thornton.
"All of us at Senator Entertainment, the cast and crew
of 'The Informers,' and director Gregor Jordan are profoundly saddened by the
news we received today," Senator president and "Informers"
producer Marco Weber said. "Brad was an exceptionally talented young actor
and our time spent with him was thoroughly enjoyable and he became a true
friend to us all. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and to all
who knew him closely as the giving, warm-hearted young man he was."
A Knoxville native, Renfro
had his big break into the Hollywood movie
scene when he was just 10 years-old debuting in 1994’s "The Client"
with Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones.
"I had the pleasure of working with Brad when he was
eleven in The Client. It was obvious to everyone that he was the sweetest, most
incredibly gifted young actor to come along for some time. My heart goes out to
the family for their tragic loss.", said Susan Sarandon for People.com
Four years later, he was cast the lead role opposite Ian
McKellen in "Apt Pupil," and in 2001, he appeared as a convenience
store clerk with Scarlett Johansson and Steve Buscemi in "Ghost World."
