A medical examiner revealed the cause of death for “King of the Hill” actor Johnny Hardwick could not be determined due to the extreme decomposition of his body, according to TMZ.
Hardwick was found dead in his bathtub in August at the age of 64, according to TMZ. The autopsy report failed to determine the factors leading up to his death because of “extensive decompositional changes” to his body.
‘King of the Hill’ star Johnny Hardwick’s cause of death undetermined due to ‘extensive decompositional changes’ https://t.co/McZOL3X4EM pic.twitter.com/CGMOlpUAOB
— New York Post (@nypost) November 3, 2023
The autopsy noted the water was running but the drain was open, and he was not actually submerged at the time of his death, according to TMZ.
The results of the report indicate no obvious signs of trauma. The toxicology report noted a “presumptive positive test for cannabinoids,” but the exact type of substance that was detected was not revealed. There were drugs found at the scene of his death but not specified, according to TMZ.
The voice actor reportedly had a notably thin frame at the time of his death. He was 5’7″ but only weighed 100 pounds, per TMZ.
Bathtub…. ‘King of the Hill’ Star Johnny Hardwick’s Cause of Death Undetermined, Body Too Decomposed https://t.co/omCYfgo1jM
— TheHouseoftheMuse (@HouseoftheMuse_) November 3, 2023
Texas police were called to Hardwick’s home in August for a welfare check, which ultimately led to the discovery of his body, TMZ noted. The cause for alarm and identity of the person who initiated the welfare check were not made public.
Investigators deemed there was no obvious reason to suspect foul play, according to TMZ. (RELATED: Bob Barker’s Cause Of Death Revealed)
Hardwick was a voice actor to 258 episodes of “King of the Hill.” He played the role of Dale Gribble with devotion, missing only one episode in the entire history of the show, per TMZ.
He was listed as a contributor for the revival of the hit show, but it remains unclear if that recording took place before his untimely death.
