Patrick Muldoon's devastated sister has spoken out about how his sudden death feels like a 'nightmare' that she can't wake up from.
The actor - acclaimed for his roles in shows Saved by the Bell, Days of Our Lives and films such as Starship Troopers - sadly passed away on Sunday (19 April).
His surviving sibling, Shana Muldoon Zappa, has now shared some further details about the moments that proceeded his untimely death at the age of 57.
Describing her beloved brother as the 'sunshine in every room' and the 'life of the party', Shana has told how tragedy struck after Patrick had headed off to take a shower.
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She explained that he had been enjoying a 'normal morning coffee' with his partner of two years, ex-entertainment lawyer and film producer, Miriam Rothbart.
"He went into the bathroom while she was on the phone," Shana, 48, told the Daily Mail. "'And she just thought it seemed [like he'd been in there] a little long...it was probably 10 minutes."
"So she went in and he was on the floor, not breathing," Shana said. "She called 911 and she was trying to bring him back, then the paramedics got there.
"My parents were at our house because we're all in LA and we all ran over there. But by the time we got there, he was gone."
Shana explained that as Patrick's nearest and dearest rushed over to his home, their 'poor dad' Patrick Muldoon Sr 'fell and fractured his shoulder'. He is currently in hospital receiving care.
The sibling of the renowned actor then shared her sadness that her brother's life had been cut short, just as he had hit a 'really good point'.
"We have videos the night before he was sending us and he was happy as can be," Shana said. "It's just a shock.
"He's so healthy. He's an ex-athlete. He goes to jiu-jitsu. He's a martial artist. He runs, he works out. It seems like he was in a highlight in his life. And then to just [die] suddenly, it's just unbelievable.
"We just had this beautiful Easter together," she went on. "I talked to him - he was supposed to have lunch with my husband yesterday. It's just all good old high stress of Hollywood and always on the go, certainly."
Patrick was set to head to Australia next week to shoot the upcoming crime film Kockroach alongside Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin.
In his final Instagram post, the screen star told fans that he was 'so excited' to take part in the project.
"He just was at a really good point in his life," Shana added. "I just feel like...it's a nightmare and I didn't wake up this morning."
She confirmed previous reports that suggested Patrick had passed away after suffering a heart attack, explaining this is what paramedics had attributed his death to.
"There was no other signs of anything," the writer said. "So the good news is, it seems like it was sudden and there was no suffering. He didn't hit his head or anything."
Shana said his 'life partner' Miriam, 53, has been left 'devastated' by Patrick's passing.
Paying tribute to her brother, Shana added: "He thought of everyone other than himself. He loved life and he loved people and he loved to make you feel like the most special person in the room.
"He had a gift. He was such an incredible light. It's unbelievable how he was taken so young."
Muldoon rose to fame in the 90s after bagging the role of Jeffrey 'Jeff' Hunter in Saved by the Bell before going on to play Austin Reed on the US soap opera Days of Our Lives.
He also appeared in popular shows such as Melrose Place, before later starring in films such as Starship Troopers, Badge of Honor, Arkansas and The Comeback Trail.
Topics: Celebrity, Celebrity News, US News, Health
Olivia Burke