After actor Brad Bufanda died early Wednesday, Assistant Chief Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office officially ruled Bufanda’s death a suicide. Bufanda’s most prominent acting role was as Felix Toombs on the UPN noir mystery drama series Veronica Mars.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, Bufanda’s official cause of death was blunt-trauma injuries suffered after jumping from a Los Angeles building. Winter confirmed Bufanda left a note behind, which along with the nature of his death, likely led to the suicide ruling.
“Investigators think the 34-year-old jumped from a multistory building near the Park La Brea apartments,” reported Javier Panzar of the Los Angeles Times. “His body was discovered by a transient just after midnight, and he was pronounced dead at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, authorities said.”
Bufanda’s story arc spanned 10 episodes of Veronica Mars from 2004 to 2006, but his acting credits also acted included guest appearances on CSI: Miami, Days of Our Lives and Malcolm in the Middle as the character “Luger Bob.”
“We are completely devastated for he was an extremely talented young actor and wonderful, caring human being,” Bufanda’s representative Kirsten Solem told USA Today via statement. “He was reviving his career having just completed 2 movies and we are shocked and saddened by his passing. The family would appreciate privacy at this difficult time.”
Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas tweeted his condolences, joining many fans who were shocked to learn of the news.
I'm heartbroken to hear of Brad Bufanda's passing. He did great work on Veronica Mars. My heart goes out to his family.
“I’m heartbroken to hear of Brad Bufanda’s passing,” Thomas wrote. “He did great work on Veronica Mars. My heart goes out to his family.”
