The official cause of death for Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place actor Patrick Muldoon has been confirmed as myocardial infarction, with his death certificate revealing a hereditary blood disorder and a pulmonary embolism as contributing factors to his death on 19 April 2026 at the age of 57.
Muldoon was found unconscious in the shower at his home by his girlfriend, Miriam Rothbart, and could not be revived.
The confirmation of his cause of death came via documents obtained by TMZ on 29 April, nearly two weeks after his passing prompted widespread tributes from co-stars and fans.
Patrick Muldoon’s official cause of death
The death certificate lists myocardial infarction as the primary cause.
Two underlying conditions contributed to the event: a hereditary coagulopathy disorder, a genetic condition affecting the blood’s ability to clot properly, and a pulmonary embolism, a clot blocking blood flow to the lungs.
The combination placed significant strain on Muldoon’s cardiovascular system, according to reports.
Hereditary coagulopathies are rare, and in some forms can predispose individuals to both abnormal bleeding and clotting depending on the specific genetic mutation involved.
The presence of a pulmonary embolism alongside the fatal cardiac event suggests his circulatory system had been under stress before the morning of 19 April, though the death certificate does not specify how long either condition had been diagnosed or whether Muldoon had been receiving treatment.
The career that made Patrick Muldoon a household name
Muldoon first became known to South African audiences through his recurring role as Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives, which he played across multiple stints from 1992 onward.
The soap opera has had a loyal following in South Africa for decades through its syndicated broadcasts, making Muldoon a familiar face in households long before streaming changed how audiences consumed American television.
His move to primetime came with Melrose Place in 1996, and in 1997 he appeared as Zander Barcalow in Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers, a film that has accrued significant cult status in the nearly three decades since its release.
His career continued into the 2010s across a range of television and film appearances. Co-stars described him as warm and generous on set, and tributes across social media reflected the reach of his work across multiple generations of fans.
His girlfriend Miriam Rothbart has not made public statements beyond confirming the circumstances of his discovery.
What happens next
No public memorial has been announced. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released Muldoon’s death certificate details on 29 April 2026, as reported by TMZ.
His family has not indicated any further proceedings are expected, and no external cause has been implicated in his death.
