Actor Johnny Wactor, famous for his role on the daytime soap “General Hospital,” was tragically killed in Los Angeles after stumbling across his car being stolen.
His mother, Scarlett Wactor, confirmed the 37-year-old’s death. She said that her actor son was “a light in a dark room.”
“There is a huge hole in all of us, and there is no fixing that,” Wactor added.
The Los Angeles Police Department provided an account of the homicide without releasing the the actor’s identity.
Johnny Wactor was a beautiful, beautiful soul. So talented. As you can see from the promo clip, always up for anything. Funny as all heck. Fit as all hell but also loved ice cream and ate all the junk I did as well.
We all were cheated of many years with him. pic.twitter.com/Ca03hAKA4z
— Parry Shen (@parryshen) May 27, 2024
At approximately 3:25 a.m. on Sunday, the Johnny came across three criminals attempting to jack the catalytic converter from where his vehicle was parked in downtown Los Angeles. One of the suspects opened fire, fatally wounding the the “Siberia” star.
Wactor’s mother explained that her son had been bartending at a nearby rooftop venue as a side job, and left the building with three of his co-workers.
Two colleagues went a different direction to reach their vehicles, leaving Johnny to escort the remaining female co-worker to her car.
On the way, they came across Wactor’s vehicle, which had been jacked up. He assumed it was being towed because he had parked in an unfamiliar area, knowing he’d be working late.
He reportedly stepped in front of his co-worker and asked the person robbing him if his truck was being towed, and criminal shot him.
His younger brother, Grant, confirmed Johnny was shot in the chest while confronting the suspects and said that wasn’t shocked that his “Southern gentleman” brother was escorting his female co-worker to her car.
“We’re Southern, born and raised, and we would never let a female walk to their car by herself,” Grant remarked.
Police reported that paramedics arrived at around 3 a.m. and transported the soap star to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Wactor made his television debut on Lifetime’s “Army Wives” and later appeared in 164 episodes of “General Hospital.”
He was also a series regular on NBC’s 2013 drama “Siberia,” which lasted 11 only episodes. His TV career included multi-episode roles on shows like “The OA,” “The Passenger,” and HBO hit “Westworld.”
He also had guest roles on “NCIS,” “Animal Kingdom,” “Criminal Minds,” and “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff, “Station 19.”
Wactor’s agent, David Shaul, told Variety that his client was a dedicated worker and an exemplary person.
“In the highs and lows of a challenging profession he always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be,” Shaul said. “After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever.”
New details have just emerged about the other tragic celebrity death of the weekend. The parents of PGA Tour golfer Grayson Murray, who died on Saturday at age 30, confirmed that their son “took his own life.”
In a statement shared on the PGA Tour’s X account, his parents Erica and Terry Murray said that they had spend the last day “trying to come to terms with the fact” that their son was gone.
“It’s surreal that we not only have to admit it to ourselves, but that we also have to acknowledge it to the world. It’s a nightmare,” Murray’s parents stated.
“We have so many questions that have no answers. But one. Was Grayson loved? The answer is yes. By us, his brother Cameron, his sister Erica, all of his extended family, by his friends, by his fellow players and – it seems – by many of you who are reading this,” their message continued.
Grayson Murray hole out eagle at the 2023 John Deere Classic 🦅
RIP 🙏
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 27, 2024
They thanked the PGA and fans for the “outpouring of support” that they have received since his passing.
“Life wasn’t always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now,” they concluded.
The PGA Tour said that Murray pulled out of the Charles Schwab Challenge on Friday due to an undisclosed illness.
Murray had been battling alcoholism, depression, and anxiety. He hadn’t won a on the tour for six-and-a-half years until taking home a “W” at the Sony Open in January.
After the event, he told reporters about how his career had been affected by his struggles.
“A lot of hard work pays off. It’s not easy. I want to give up a lot of times, give up on myself, give up on the game of golf, give up on life at times,” Murray said.
“Just persevere, and when you get tired of fighting let someone else fight for you. That’s what happened.”