An autopsy report for The Wire actor Bobby J. Brown, released months after his tragic death in a barn fire in February, has shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident.
Brown, who portrayed a police officer sharing his name in the early 2000s drama, was 62 when he died at his home in Chaptico, Maryland.
His death was ruled an accident by the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, with the cause listed as “diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation.”
However, new information included in an official autopsy, obtained by TMZ, revealed that the actor had consumed several alcoholic beverages before his death. No other drugs were found in his system.
It also stated that Brown had suffered catastrophic, life-threatening burns that penetrated deep into his skin and tissue. The report also included that the carbon monoxide levels in his blood reached 71 percent.
In an original press statement released by St. Mary’s County, it said that firefighters arrived on the scene to find the barn “nearly fully engulfed in fire,” which Brown had entered so he could jump-start a vehicle.
“Family members on scene confirmed that one individual was still inside the structure. After the fire was brought under control, firefighters located a deceased male victim within the barn.”
His daughter Reina, who did not live with Brown, told People that her father had called for a family member to bring him a fire extinguisher as the flames spread.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
“Everybody is still trying to process it — it’s been difficult for all of us,” she said at the time of his death. “My dad was an amazing human being. He was super awesome. He was a pillar in the community, and he’s going to be missed by a lot of people.”
TMZ reported at the time that Brown’s wife suffered severe burns on her hands while attempting to save his life.
Brown was best known for playing a Baltimore officer — named Bobby Brown — in David Simon’s acclaimed HBO drama The Wire. He made an uncredited appearance in season one before returning as a guest star in seasons four and five, appearing in 12 episodes in total.
Before becoming an actor, he worked as a professional boxer, winning five Golden Glove Championships. He later attended acting school in New York and was cast by Simon in his early TV shows Homicide: Life on the Street and The Corner.
He also appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as Simon’s most recent TV show, We Own This City.
Survived by his wife and two daughters, Brown was hailed as “a man of immense talent and incredible discipline” by his agent, Dr. Albert Bramante.
