Skye McCole Bartusiak | Polydrug Overdose Death

Skye McCole Bartusiak was an American actress and model who, despite her death at age 21, achieved a large filmography and participated in various forms of media until her untimely death.

How Skye McCole Bartusiak Died

The 21-year-old passed away on July 19, 2014. She experienced several epileptic seizures the week before her death.

Bartusiak was found in the garage apartment at her parents’ Houston home. According to Bartusiak’s mother, she likely choked to death due to a seizure.

Despite this, her cause of death was ruled an accidental drug overdose by the coroner. It was later revealed in October 2014 that Bartusiak died of a drug overdose due to the combined toxic effects of hydrocodone and difluoroethane (a refrigerant, colorless gas) with carisoprodol.

As stated by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the primary cause of death for Bartusiak was attributed to the muscle relaxants and painkillers found in her system.

Bartusiak’s mother released a statement after her daughter’s death, stating she was “a kind and beautiful girl.”

About Skye McCole Bartusiak

Actress Skye McCole Bartusiak was born on September 28, 1992, in Houston, Texas, to parents Donald and Helen McCole Bartusiak. In 2010, she graduated from Laurel Springs High School located in Ojai, California.

Hollywood Career

While her Hollywood career may have been short-lived, Bartusiak appeared in several well-known projects, including The Patriot in which she played Mel Gibson’s daughter. 

Due to her work as both an actress and model, Bartusiak won the role of young Marilyn Monroe in Blonde, and her first film credit was The Cider House Rules in 1999.

In 2001, Bartusiak acted alongside co-stars Michael Douglas and Brittany Murphy in Don’t Say A Word. She also had a role in the TV series 24.

Bartusiak’s final role was in the film Sick Boy, released in 2012.

Skye McCole Bartusiak’s History Of Substance Abuse & Rehab

There is no known history of Bartusiak participating in drug use except for taking medications to help prevent seizures. There are also no known instances in which Bartusiak sought addiction treatment.

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