Fentanyl ruled as the cause of death for Adam Rich, former ‘Eight is Enough’ child star

65

Adam Rich, the former child star famous for his role in the beloved family show “Eight is Enough,” passed away in January at the age of 54. The autopsy report from the Los Angeles County Medical-Examiner Coroner’s office has concluded that his death was caused by the effects of fentanyl, marking it as an accidental overdose.

Recognized as “America’s little brother” during his time on “Eight is Enough,” Rich gained popularity at the tender age of eight. The show revolved around the life of a widowed newspaper columnist raising his children, with Rich portraying the endearing mop-topped son. Following the conclusion of the series in 1981, Rich’s acting career was relatively limited.

In the months leading up to his passing, Rich openly shared his struggles with depression and substance abuse. In October, he took to Twitter to announce that he had remained sober for seven years, despite numerous arrests, multiple stints in rehab, and several overdoses. He encouraged his followers to never lose hope.

Rich faced legal troubles in the past, with notable incidents occurring in April 1991 and October of the same year. In April, he was arrested for attempting to break into a pharmacy, and later that October, he faced allegations of stealing a syringe filled with drugs while receiving treatment for a dislocated shoulder at a hospital. In 2002, he was arrested for driving under the influence after colliding with a parked California Highway Patrol cruiser in a closed freeway lane.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fentanyl overdose

More about fentanyl overdose

• Adam Rich – IMDb
• Los Angeles County Medical-Examiner Coroner’s Office
• Information on Fentanyl Overdose – National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Adam Rich’s Twitter account (Replace “username” with Adam Rich’s actual Twitter handle, if available)