Coroner says ‘Young and Restless’ star died of heart disease

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Officials say “Young and the Restless” star Kristoff St. John died of heart disease, with heavy drinking at the time of his death a contributing factor.

A coroner’s report released Tuesday lists “hypertrophic heart disease” as the cause of the 52-year-old’s death on Feb. 4 at his home in Los Angeles. “Hypertrophic” means the heart muscle has become abnormally thick.

The report states that alcohol use along with a congenital artery problem contributed to St. John’s death.

The report says that three days before his death, St. John had been released from a mental health hospital where he had been admitted for alcohol abuse and threatening self-harm.

St. John played Neil Winters for 27 years on the CBS soap opera. He was nominated for 11 daytime Emmys, winning twice.