Tawny Kitaen’s cause of death has been revealed.
The “Bachelor Party” star died from dilated cardiomyopathy, TMZ reported Wednesday, citing the Orange County Coroner’s Office. Other contributing factors included clogged arteries, antidepressants, sedatives, nerve pain medication and opioids.
Kitaen died on May 7 at age 59 in Newport Beach, Calif. Her close family and friends recently gathered for an intimate celebration to honor her life after she was cremated.
In addition to “Bachelor Party,” Kitaen starred in the 1984 French cult classic “The Perils of Gwendoline” and 2014’s “After Midnight.”
Kitaen started her career on the game show “To Tell the Truth” in 1976 and eventually migrated to movies, where she achieved moderate success. The vixen was also featured in a few classic music videos, notably Whitesnake’s “Is This Love” and “Here I Go Again.”
She married lead singer David Coverdale in 1989, but the marriage lasted only two years. Kitaen then wed baseball star Chuck Finley in 1997, but the former couple split in 2002 following his claims that she had repeatedly kicked him during a domestic dispute.
They shared two daughters: Wynter, 28, and Raine, 22.
“We are heartbroken and saddened to announce the death of our mom,” Kitaen’s daughters wrote on social media following their mother’s passing. “We just want to say thank you for [sic] all of you, her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love. You gave her life everyday. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live forever.”
Kitaen publicly detailed her struggles with alcohol and substance abuse and had a criminal record that included a 2006 charge for cocaine possession and driving under the influence in 2009.