The Tragic Final Days: 5 Shocking Facts About Gary Coleman's Cause Of Death And Estate Battle

The death of Gary Coleman on May 28, 2010, closed the book on one of Hollywood's most complicated child star stories, but the circumstances surrounding his passing and the subsequent legal drama kept the tragedy in the headlines for years. The former *Diff'rent Strokes* star died at the age of 42 following a sudden, accidental injury at his Utah home, an event that sparked intense public scrutiny and a bitter dispute over his final affairs. This article, updated for , delves into the official cause of death, the timeline of his final days, and the surprising legal battle that followed.

The official cause of death was an intracranial hemorrhage, or brain bleed, resulting from a fall. While the medical facts are clear, the human story behind the tragedy—including his long-term health struggles, his strained relationships, and the controversies surrounding his ex-wife, Shannon Price—reveals a tumultuous end to a life that began with immense fame.

Gary Coleman: A Life Defined by Fame and Struggle

Gary Wayne Coleman was an American actor who became one of the highest-paid child stars of the late 1970s and 1980s. His signature phrase, "Whatcha talkin' 'bout, Willis?", became an instant pop culture phenomenon. However, his life was marked by serious health issues and financial turmoil.

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• Full Name: Gary Wayne Coleman
• Born: February 8, 1968, in Zion, Illinois, U.S.
• Died: May 28, 2010, in Provo, Utah, U.S. (Age 42)
• Occupation: Actor
• Best Known For: Arnold Jackson on the television sitcom *Diff'rent Strokes* (1978–1986)
• Health Issues: Suffered from congenital kidney disease (nephritis) since childhood, which required two kidney transplants and daily dialysis, and stunted his growth.
• Marital Status: Married to Shannon Price (2007–2008); they were divorced but living together at the time of his death.

The Definitive Cause of Death: An Accidental Fall

The official finding from the Utah County Medical Examiner was that Gary Coleman's death was accidental, caused by a brain hemorrhage sustained after a fall. This ruling came after a brief but intense period of speculation following the incident.

The Timeline of the Fatal Incident

The tragic events began on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at Coleman's home in Santaquin, Utah.

• May 26, 2010: Coleman suffered a fall at his residence. The specific circumstances remain somewhat vague, but the injury was a blow to the head that caused an intracranial hemorrhage (brain bleed).
• Emergency Response: He was immediately rushed to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo.
• Deterioration: Upon arrival, his condition was critical. By Thursday, he was unconscious and placed on life support.
• May 28, 2010: After consultation with family and doctors, he was taken off life support. Gary Coleman was pronounced dead at 12:05 p.m.

The Official Medical and Police Findings

The death certificate officially listed the cause of death simply as a "Fall." However, the underlying medical cause was the resulting brain hemorrhage. The Santaquin Police Department conducted an investigation into the incident, which was standard procedure.

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Police Chief Dennis Howard confirmed that the investigation found no evidence of foul play. The autopsy conclusion was that Coleman died of "natural causes" following the accidental fall, a ruling that aligned with the initial evidence. The term "natural causes" in this context refers to the internal medical event (the hemorrhage) that was triggered by the external, accidental event (the fall). The death certificate also noted "Chronic Kidney Failure" as a significant condition contributing to his overall fragility.

The Controversial Role of Shannon Price

The most controversial aspect of Gary Coleman’s death involved his ex-wife, Shannon Price. Although they had divorced in 2008, they were still living together at the time of the fall.

The Decision to Remove Life Support

Shannon Price was the one who made the critical and irreversible decision to take Coleman off life support. This action immediately drew public criticism and speculation, particularly given their tumultuous and well-documented relationship, which had included domestic disputes and arrests. Price defended her decision, stating that Coleman had previously expressed a wish not to be kept alive by machines if he were to become incapacitated.

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The public debate centered on whether Price, as his ex-wife, had the legal authority to make this life-or-death decision. Because they were divorced but still cohabiting, the legal standing was ambiguous, adding another layer of complexity to the tragedy.

The Bitter Estate Battle

Following his death, a complicated and very public legal battle erupted over Gary Coleman's estate, highlighting the problems associated with multiple wills and estranged family relationships.

• Contending Parties: The dispute was primarily between Shannon Price and Anna Gray, Coleman's former girlfriend and manager.
• The Wills: Multiple documents surfaced, including a handwritten will from 2007 that named Price as the beneficiary and a 2005 will that named Anna Gray.
• Common-Law Marriage Claim: Price argued that despite their divorce, they had effectively become remarried through Utah's common-law marriage provisions, which would grant her spousal rights to the estate.
• The Ruling: A Utah judge ultimately ruled against Shannon Price, declaring that she did not have a common-law marriage with Gary Coleman at the time of his death. This ruling effectively denied her claim to the estate, though the final distribution was complex and involved a 2005 will.

The Legacy of Gary Coleman's Final Years

Gary Coleman's death brought renewed attention to the struggles faced by former child stars, particularly those dealing with chronic illness and financial mismanagement. His lifelong health battle with chronic kidney failure and the need for ongoing dialysis was a constant, debilitating factor in his adult life.

The official ruling of accidental death due to an intracranial hemorrhage closed the medical file, but the legal battles and public scrutiny over his final wishes and the actions of those around him ensured that the story of his tragic end would endure. Ultimately, the cause of death was a simple, devastating fall, but the circumstances surrounding it speak volumes about the isolated and complex life of the man who once asked, "Whatcha talkin' 'bout, Willis?"