DAWSON’S Creek star Obi Ndefo’s cause of death has been revealed by his older sister.
His sister, Nkem Ndefo, took to X to share with fans the cause of his death as well as the reason behind the decision to reveal it.
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“Obi Ndefo passed away early Wednesday morning in a Los Angeles area hospital,” Nkem began.
“Tragically, Obi’s heart gave out in his longstanding battle against the eating disorder orthorexia.”
Nkem said she shared this news to “bring attention to orthorexia’s severity and in the hopes that those suffering from this devastating disease receive the compassionate care they deserve.”
“Our family had a big discussion about saying anything especially as media outlets were repeatedly contacting me. We decided that it would honor my brother more to tell his story in the hopes that others could get help,” she explained.
READ MORE CELEBRITY DEATHS
Obi “started as a raw vegan,” Nkem said, and added that “in hindsight was the beginning of the orthorexia as it was more about controlling food than health. The severity only worsened.”
“New research shows a strong link between autoimmunity and eating disorders but sadly conventional treatment centers have not caught up with the research so my brother was never tested and treated,” Nkem explained.
“The split between psychiatry and neurology and immunology is so harmful.”
The actor’s sister also asked for a “donation in Obi’s name to further research on autoimmunity in eating disorders.”
Nkem announced Obi’s death on Facebook over the weekend.
“Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother and knowing he’s finally at peace,” Nkem wrote at the time.
She shared a photo of her and Obi together, beaming for the camera.
Obi played Bodie Wells on Dawson’s Creek from 1998 to 2002.
Bodie was a recurring character on the show, who settled in the fictional Capeside with his family and became a chef.
In the teen drama, his character was in a relationship with Bessie Potter (Nina Repeta), and they had a son together.
You always were and always will be a bright shining light
Mary-Margaret Humes on co-star Obi Ndefo
TRAGIC ACCIDENT
His death comes after he lost both of his legs when he was hit by a car on August 17, 2019.
Obi had been at a grocery store in Los Angeles when the incident occurred.
He had just come from teaching a yoga class at Peace Yoga Gallery.
Obi was putting groceries into a cool in his parked car when an SUV veered out of its lane and crashed into him.
The driver reversed and sped off quickly.
The crash left his left leg hanging off and his right leg severed, according to the Los Angeles Times.
A private chef stopped and stayed with Obi until medical help came.
Obi’s left leg wound up being amputated.
A GoFundMe page was set up for the actor to raise money for his prosthetic legs and to make his home more accessible.
It raised over $200,000.
CO-STAR’S TRIBUTE
Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mom Gale Leery on the show, also made a tribute following his death.
“These words don’t come easy,” she wrote on Instagram.
“It’s hard for me to conceive that you have left us, my dear friend. You always were and always will be a bright shining light. What an example of pure unfiltered love and tenacity you set as you faced life’s challenges of recent.”
“I will cherish all of our messages of love and support to each other over the past few years. Rest in peace sweet warrior,” Mary-Margaret ended.
She added a video of him and his Dawson’s Creek co-stars including Katie Holmes, James Van Der Beek, and Joshua Jackson.
Mary-Margaret also shared a throwback selfie with him and her.
MORE ABOUT OBI
Obi was a graduate of Yale University, where he studied drama.
He was the founder of the Los Angeles-based non-profit Arts Alliance for Humanity, which supports keeping arts education in public schools and communities.
Obi was also a writer and yoga teacher.
Aside from Dawson’s Creek, he also starred in the TV series Angel, The West Wing, The Jamie Foxx Show, Stargate SG-1, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Half & Half, Crossing Jordan, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager.
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