‘80s actress Tawny Kitaen’s cause of death released 5 months after death
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By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Officials in California have released how ‘80s actress Tawny Kitaen died, five months after her death.
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years Julie "Tawny" Kitaen, shown in this circa 1986 file photo, died May 7, 2021, at age 59. Here are some memorable photos of the actress through the years. (Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 1987: Rocker David Coverdale of the rock group "Whitesnake" poses with his girlfriend, Tawny Kitaen, at the 1987 MTV Music Awards at Universal City, California. Kitean made a name for herself in the 1980s by appearing in several "Whitesnake" videos. (George Rose/Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 1988: Musician Dave Coverdale of Whitesnake and model/actress Tawny Kitaen attend the fifth annual MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, 1988, at Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. (Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 1993: Model/actress Tawny Kitaen attends the wedding of Donald Trump and Marla Maples on December 20, 1993, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 1994: Tawny Kitaen on November 17, 1994. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 1995: Model/actress Tawny Kitaen attends the Make-A-Wish Foundation Dinner/Dance Benefit on May 10, 1995, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 2002: A mug shot of actress Tawny Kitaen is seen April 1, 2002, In Newport Beach, California. Kitaen was charged with two misdemeanor counts of spousal abuse and battery after being accused of hitting her husband, Cleveland Indians pitcher Chuck Finley. (U.S. Army/Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 2003: Actress Actress Tawny Kitaen (left) and her daughter, Wynter Finley, attend Yellow Ribbon Sunday at Will Rogers Memorial Park on April 6, 2003, in Beverly Hills, California. The event was organized by Alana Stewart, Lorna Luft and Ann Turkel to show support for the troops in Iraq by wrapping trees with yellow ribbons. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 2011: Actors Topher Grace (left) and Tawny Kitaen pose at the after party for the premiere of Relativity Media's "Take Me Home Tonight" at the Conga Room on March 2, 2011, in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 2015: Actors Jenica Bergere and Tawny Kitaen arrive for the red carpet premiere screening for Amazon's first original drama series "Bosch" at the Dome at Arclight Hollywood on February 3, 2015, in Hollywood, California. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Photos: Tawny Kitaen through the years 2018: Tracey Gold, Jeremy Miller and Tawny Kitaen attend the 2018 STL Pop Culture Con at St. Charles Convention Center on August 19, 2018, in St. Charles, Missouri. (Bobby Bank/Getty Images)
Kitaen died due to dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday, USA Today reported.
She also had mild coronary atherosclerosis and had a variety of medications in her system at the time, including mirtazapine, alprazolam, acetaminophen, pregabalin and hydrocodone.
Her children with ex-husband, retired MLB player Chuck Finley, announced her death on Instagram in May, USA Today reported.
Before her marriage to Finley, she was married to Whitesnake’s singer David Coverdale, Fox News reported.
Kitaen was known for her role in the Tom Hanks comedy “Bachelor Party,” People magazine reported.
She also was the co-host of “America’s Funniest People” and spoke about her substance abuse issues on reality television shows “The Surreal Life” and “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.”
She was best known for her appearances in several music videos, including Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again,” Fox News reported.
Her brother, Jordan Kitaen, said his sister was also a “proficient artist,” Fox News reported.