The family of former Emmerdale star Sam Gannon has confirmed that he died suddenly on Tuesday while visiting relatives in California.
According to information provided by Gannon’s family, the young man, who was 31 years old at the time of his death, had traveled to California to spend time with relatives. Sam Gannon’s cause of death is currently unknown.
According to his mother’s statement to the BBC, her son was born with a heart condition that “reared its ugly head” in recent months.
The police are still investigating Sam’s death, but they are not considering it suspicious at this time, according to Yorkshire Post.
More from BBC:
Mr. Gannon, 31, who played Kev in the soap in 2019, died suddenly while visiting relatives in California.
His family has launched a crowdfunding page to bring his body back home to Selby, North Yorkshire.
“You just don’t expect these things to happen, especially to a young man of 31 who was having the time of his life,” his mother Angela Gannon said.
“He was having a great time, up in the mountains shooting tin cans, building stables for horses. The last time I spoke to him was on Monday.”
She said news of her son’s death had left the family in “absolute, total shock”.
A fundraising bid to bring the former Brayton High School student’s body home has already received £7,600 ($9175.09) towards a £17,000 (20,523.23) target.
His mother said: “We want him home with us – with his family.”
A statement on the JustGiving page stated: “Due to the recent and sudden passing of Sam. All donations will be put towards the repatriation of his body from the US and his funeral.”
“He was a “real life Duracell bunny” with a seemingly endless supply of energy and love. A son, grandson, brother, uncle, partner and friend, he will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him.
“We are putting the target as £17,000 as we do not yet know the actual cost.
“Sam was a true performer, and any extra money raised will be donated to a UK charity supporting youth theatre, a cause close to Sam’s heart.
“Amy, Sam’s sister, is also looking at setting up a foundation in Sam’s name to support people who find themselves in a similar position to him and need extra support,” the post concluded.
Many paid tribute to the late actor. Twitter user Abbie Baker wrote, “This is so devastating. I had the privilege of working with this amazingly talented guy way back when at York Dungeons. To lose him is a tragedy we lost touch over the years, but I haven’t stopped thinking about him since I heard RIP Sam Gannon.”
Actor Jordan Akkaya also tweeted, “Sam was always such a lovely chatty bloke. I literally can’t believe this news. Let’s help get him home to his family. Genuinely lost for words over this.”
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