"Young and the Restless" actor Kristoff St. John died on Sunday at the age of 52. The cause of death has been deferred "pending additional investigation" after an autopsy was completed Monday, according to the coroner's official website. St. John was at increased risk for a number of mental and physical issues due to the the death of his son, Julian St. John, who died of an apparent suicide in 2014 while in a mental health facility. Kristoff St. John became a "suicide loss survivor," part of an unwilling group of millions of Americans left behind by loved ones' deaths, who take on a mantle of grief and often shame and guilt. Evidence shows exposure to suicide loss can lead to substance abuse, according to the Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Losing any first-degree relative to suicide increases the mourner’s own chance of suicide by about threefold, according to the action alliance. "No parent should ever have to bury their child, and for those who do, it is a nightmare that haunts you forever," ex-wife Mia St. John said in a 2017 statement to Entertainment Tonight. Indeed, parents who lose a child to suicide face increased rates of depression, anxiety disorders and marital breakup, as well as an increased rate of physical disorders, such as heart disease and hypertension, a 2013 study published in JAMA Psychiatryfound. On Jan. 21, St. John retweeted a tweet about the loss of a child that reads: "Grieving the loss of a child is a process. It begins on the day your child passes, and ends the day the parent joins them." He also responded to the tweet, writing: "Never a truer word was spoke. Thanks for posting this." Suicide loss survivors are at risk of "complicated grief," which is when the intense, painful emotions associated with loss last so long that it interferes with your ability to return to reasonably normal functioning. Parents of suicide loss survivors, especially, may have lifelong needs as a result of their loss and be especially afflicted with feelings of guilt and responsibility, according to a 2012 article in the medical journal Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. When Debbie Baird lost her 29-year-old son, Matthew, to suicide in 2009, she didn't think she would ever let go of her grief. "If you had told me in the early days that I would feel better again, I would never have believed you," she said. One of the most painful truths a suicide loss survivor must learn to accept is that they may never get the answer they want most: why? "I miss my son every single day, and it's just senseless that this had to happen this way and even though I can talk to other loss survivors I still can't understand it myself," Baird said. "I think I still have that 'why?' I have a pretty good idea of why, but the true reason left with him." IN DEPTH:My mom killed herself at the Grand Canyon — and I needed to know why After St. John's death, his fiancee, Kseniya Mikhaleva, now a loss survivor herself, shared her grief on Instagram, along with the questions swirling in her mind: "How did it happen ??? How ??? Why did you leave so early ???? and left me alone ....." she captioned the image, that has since been deleted. "I can’t believe 💔💔💔💔 you were everything to me .... you were a loving father, a loving man,.....how 😢😢😢😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔 love? ?we should doing a lot of things in future......" Don't give up hope Loss survivors can heal. According to the Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, after a suicide loss, many survivors experience what's called, "posttraumatic growth," where they "gain resilience and coping skills, more complex and compassionate attitudes toward life, and/or meaningful aspirations or goals that did not exist before the death. It's impossible for survivors to return to the way things were before their loved one's death. However, some are able to achieve post-traumatic growth. "You look at the world in a different way," said, Kim Ruocco, whose husband Marine Corps Maj. John Ruocco died by suicide in 2005. "[I] cherished the world in a different way. My relationships with my children were more intense, more purposeful. I was more present and connected to the outside world, whether that’s nature or other people. I found joy in little things and appreciated little things and moments with people that I may not have discovered prior to my husband’s death, and I was able to honor his life lived by telling other people about him and preventing suicide in honor of him." Helping others can be part of post-traumatic growth. For Ruocco, she became vice president of suicide prevention and postvention at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). "Postvention" describes efforts to prevent suicide among loss survivors and help them heal. Ruocco said postvention doesn't just decrease risk, it can help survivors find new purpose. You may also be interested in: If you've lost a loved one to suicide The American Psychological Association says it's important for survivors to: Accept your emotions. Not worry about what you “should” feel or do. There’s no standard timeline for grieving and no single right way to cope. Care for yourself. Do your best to get enough sleep and eat regular, healthy meals. Taking care of your physical self can improve your mood and give you the strength to cope. Draw on support systems. Talk to someone. There is often stigma around suicide, and many loss survivors suffer in silence. Speaking about your feelings can help. Join a group. Talk to a professional. If you know someone who has lost a loved one to suicide The American Association of Suicidology and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline recommend: Listening without judgment Using the lost loved one’s name to show that person is not forgotten Accepting the loss survivor's feelings, which can include shock, shame and abandonment Avoiding phrases such as "I know how you feel," unless you, too, are a loss survivor Avoiding telling them how they should act or feel Being sensitive during holidays and anniversaries Suicide Lifeline: If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online. Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has resources to help survivors of suicide loss address both their practical and emotional needs. SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCE CENTER: Resources for survivors of suicide loss, including parents (PDF)<doc-sep>Actor Kristoff St. John has died at the age of 52, ET confirms. The Young and the Restless star was a two-time Daytime Emmy winner for his role as Neil Winters on the popular soap opera, and appeared on the show from 1991 to present day. St. John’s attorney, Mark Geragos, confirmed the news of his death to ET, saying, “Sadly I can confirm and we will have a statement later today.” ET can confirm the LA County Medical Examiner/Coroner’s Office completed St. John’s autopsy on Monday morning. For now, the cause of death has been deferred pending additional investigation. The LAPD tells ET that they did respond to an incident in the San Fernando Valley area at 2:05 p.m. that was considered a “possible alcohol overdose,” but would not confirm the name of the deceased and noted they cannot determine the cause of death at this time. St. John leaves behind two children, Paris and Lola St. John. His 24-year-old son, Julian, died of a reported suicide at a mental health facility in 2014. CBS Television Network and Sony Pictures Television (which produces The Young and the Restless) sent out a statement about his death. “The news of Kristoff St. John’s passing is heartbreaking," the statement reads. "He was a very talented actor and an even better person. For those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him on ‘The Young and the Restless’ for the last 27 years, he was a beloved friend whose smile and infectious laugh made every day on set a joy and made audiences love him. On behalf of the Y&R cast and crew, CBS and Sony Pictures Television, we offer our heartfelt sympathy to his family and loved ones, especially his two daughters, Paris and Lola.” In 2017, St. John and his ex-wife, Mia, spoke with ET’s Kevin Frazier about struggling with their son’s loss. “That call was the worst call I’ve ever had in my life,” St. John said at the time. “I knew that Julian had died.” EXCLUSIVE: 'Y&R' Star Kristoff St. John Opens Up About Loss of His Son Nearly Three Years Later This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page. RELATED CONTENT: 'Y & R' Star Kristoff St. John's Ex-Wife Mia Sets Record Straight on His Alleged Suicide Threat 'Young and the Restless' Star Kristoff St. John Opens Up About Son's Tragic Death: 'I'm Still Angry (Exclusive) Mental Facility Responds to Kristoff St. John's Lawsuit Over Son's Death: We Haven't Been Served Related Gallery<doc-sep>Kristoff St. John, the actor best-known for portraying Neil Winters on CBS’ long-running daytime soap “The Young and the Restless,” has died. He was 52. His attorney Mark Geragos confirmed the news to Variety. Geragos also posted on Twitter, saying, “Few men had the unique strength, courage & sensitivity that @kristoffstjohn1 lived every single minute of every day. He impacted everyone he met and millions who he inspired and in turn admired him. On behalf of @MiaStJohnBoxer & @TheStJohnFamily thank you for all of your love.” The Daytime Emmy Awards also noted St. John’s death via Twitter. “It is with unbelievable sadness that we say goodbye to our friend, #DaytimeEmmys winner @kristoffstjohn1. @YandR_CBS RIP.” CBS and Sony Pictures Television, producer of “Young & the Restless,” called St. John’s death “heartbreaking” in a statement. “He was a very talented actor and an even better person. For those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him on ‘The Young and the Restless’ for the last 27 years, he was a beloved friend whose smile and infectious laugh made every day on set a joy and made audiences love him,” CBS and SPT said. “On behalf of the Y&R cast and crew, CBS and Sony Pictures Television, we offer our heartfelt sympathy to his family and loved ones, especially his two daughters, Paris and Lola.” St. John received numerous awards, including nine Daytime Emmys, over the 25 years he worked on “The Young and the Restless.” His first major role on a soap opera was on NBC’s “Generations.” The show was canceled in 1991. St. John’s work on “Young and the Restless” was hailed by fans as he established one of the show’s first major African-American characters. He played a Stanford University graduate and business executive who had many ups and downs in his personal life. . @YRInsider has been my guilty pleasure for 20 years. This is just heartbreaking. Kristoff St. John’s character was so revolutionary because he & @victoriarowell represented the only black family on Y&R, the no. 1 soap. Kristoff is appreciated and will be sorely missed. https://t.co/dEeC4Ef5y9 — Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 4, 2019 Born July 15, 1966 in New York, St. John began working on the small screen at a young age. He made his television debut (billed as Christoff St. John) at age 7 in the series “That’s My Mama.” St. John played a young Alex Haley in the 1979 miniseries “Roots: The Next Generations.” He was a regular on the 1979-80 CBS comedy series “The Bad News Bears.” He had a small role on “The Cosby Show” as Denise Huxtable’s boyfriend and later worked on the 1985 CBS sitcom “Charlie & Co.” Through the 1980s and ’90s he logged guest shots on shows ranging from “Jake and the Fatman” and “Diagnosis Murder” to “Suddenly Susan,” “The Jamie Foxx Show,” “Family Matters,” “A Different World,” “Martin,” “Sister, Sister” and “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper.” St. John joined the cast of “The Young and the Restless” in 1991. He won the Daytime Emmy for young actor in a drama series the following year, and took home a statue for supporting actor in a drama series in 2008. He also won the NAACP Image Award for actor in a daytime drama multiple years. He recently starred in Christmas-themed made-for-TV movies for Up (“Marry Us for Christmas” and “A Baby For Christmas”) and ION (“A Christmas Cruise”). On the film front, St. John’s credits include “The Champ,” “Top of the Heap,” and “Pandora’s Box.”<doc-sep>
Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Kristoff St. John, a longtime star of CBS soap opera “The Young and the Restless,” was found dead on Sunday. He was 52. Friends went to check on St. John at his San Fernando Valley, Calif., home on Sunday, when they discovered his body, TMZ reported. They called police and paramedics, who pronounced the actor dead at the scene. St. John’s attorney, Mark Geragos, confirmed the soap star’s passing to Page Six and also tweeted a statement. “Few men had the unique strength, courage & sensitivity that @kristoffstjohn1 lived every single minute of every day. He impacted everyone he met and millions who he inspired and in turn admired him,” Geragos wrote. “On behalf of @MiaStJohnBoxer & @TheStJohnFamily thank you for all of your love.” CBS Television Network and Sony Pictures Television released a joint statement confirming the death of St. John, who played Neil Winters on “The Young and The Restless” for nearly three decades. “The news of Kristoff St. John’s passing is heartbreaking. He was a very talented actor and an even better person. For those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him on ‘The Young and the Restless’ for the last 27 years, he was a beloved friend whose smile and infectious laugh made every day on set a joy and made audiences love him,” the companies’ statement read. “On behalf of the Y&R cast and crew, CBS and Sony Pictures Television, we offer our heartfelt sympathy to his family and loved ones, especially his two daughters, Paris and Lola.” In a since-deleted tweet, St. John’s ex-wife, boxer Mia St. John, blamed the mental health facility that treated their son for Kristoff’s death. “THAT HOSPITAL KILLED OUR SON @TheArtofJulian THEN MY HUSBAND @kristoffstjohn1 THATS WHAT HAPPENED! THEY KILLED MY FAMILY,” she wrote. Kristoff and Mia’s son, Julian, died by suicide in 2014 while seeking treatment at the unnamed facility. They sued for negligence and later settled. The former couple also founded the El Saber es Poder (Knowledge Is Power) Foundation to battle mental illness. In 2017, Kristoff threatened suicide and was placed on a 72-hour hold for psychiatric evaluation. He leaves behind two daughters, Paris St. John and Lola St. John. Vivica A. Fox took to Instagram to pay tribute to her former co-star. “It is with a very heavy heart that I wake up this morning to hear about the passing of my good friend @KristoffStJohn who I started off my acting career with on the Soap Opera #Generations and recently #AChristmasCruise WOW! Kristoff I will soo miss u my brotha! #RESTINPARADISE my friend! #Blessed #Respect,” she captioned an old photo of the two of them together.