‘General Hospital’ star Johnny Wactor’s cause of death revealed
“General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor died from a gunshot wound to the chest, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday.
The 37-year-old’s manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Wactor was fatally shot in downtown Los Angeles early Saturday when he disrupted a trio of masked thieves attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his car.
He was walking a female co-worker to her car around 3:25 a.m. when they stumbled on the would-be robbers, Wactor’s brother said.
Wactor was shot once when he stepped out in front of his co-worker to protect her, the grieving relative added.
“He came across them and he thought his truck was being towed. So he said something to the guys, like, ‘Hey, are you towing?’” Grant Wactor told People.
“And then once he turned around, he saw what was happening and he put his co-worker behind him. And that’s when they shot him.”
The thieves fled in a separate vehicle. No suspects have been identified as of Wednesday afternoon.
Wactor often picked up extra bartending shifts between acting gigs and was working later than usual when he was killed, his mother said.
Wactor played Brando Corbin in 164 episodes of “General Hospital” between 2020 through 2022.
Several of his former castmates mourned his death on social media in the days after the tragic news broke.
“I’m in a state of disbelief and complete sadness. I don’t typically do posts like this, but Johnny was such a special person and it feels important (for me) to put these words out there,” actress Kristin Storms wrote.
“To [Johnny’s] mother and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Johnny was one of those rare ‘real individuals’ that you almost never come across,” she added.
Sofia Mattsson, who plays the widow of Wactor’s “General Hospital” character, also reacted to the killing on Instagram.
“Johnny was the absolute best,” Mattsson wrote.
“So genuine. So caring. Incredibly hard working and humble. With a huge heart that spread so much kindness and joy. He always made sure everyone around him felt seen, heard and loved. I admire the man he was so much and I’m a better person for having known him.”
