The sudden death of Patrick Muldoon has left family, friends and fans reeling, with heartbreaking new details emerging about the beloved Days of Our Lives star’s final moments.
The actor, who was just 57, is believed to have suffered a sudden heart attack at his Beverly Hills home on Sunday, in what his family has described as an unthinkable and devastating tragedy.
According to his sister, Shana Muldoon Zappa, the day had begun like any other. Patrick had shared a quiet morning coffee with his partner, Miriam Rothbart, before heading to the bathroom to shower while she took a phone call nearby.
What happened next has left those closest to him shattered. After noticing he had been gone longer than usual, Miriam went to check on him, only to discover him collapsed on the bathroom floor and not breathing. In a desperate attempt to save him, she immediately called emergency services and tried to revive him until paramedics arrived.
By the time help reached the home, it was too late. Family members rushed to the house in a panic, but were met with the devastating reality that Patrick had already passed. In the chaos and anguish of the moment, his father reportedly fell while trying to reach him, fracturing his shoulder and adding yet another layer of heartbreak to an already unimaginable situation.
© Ron Galella Collection via GettySpeaking to the Daily Mail, his sister described the loss as an “unbelievable nightmare,” revealing that Patrick had shown no signs of ill health and had been in peak physical condition. A former athlete, he maintained a rigorous fitness routine, including martial arts and regular training, making his sudden passing all the more shocking.
“There was no warning,” she shared, adding that paramedics believe his death was caused by a sudden heart attack and that, mercifully, he did not suffer.
© Vivien KillileaThe tragedy feels even more profound given how joyful his final days had been. Just the night before, Patrick had been sending videos to his family from an event at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, appearing happy, relaxed and full of life.
“He was at a really good point in his life,” his sister said, recalling a recent Easter celebration spent together and plans for upcoming travel, including a trip to Australia.
Tributes have since poured in from across Hollywood, including from his longtime friend and former partner Denise Richards, who is said to be inconsolable.
© WireImageThe pair, who dated on and off in the 1990s after meeting in acting class, remained close friends for decades.
Patrick had most recently appeared alongside Denise at the 2026 Saturn Awards, marking what would become his final public appearance. The pair were also set to reunite onscreen in the upcoming action-thriller Dirty Hands, due for release this week.
Beyond his relationships, those who knew Patrick remember him as a magnetic and generous presence. His sister described him as “the sunshine in every room,” a man who brought warmth, humour and kindness wherever he went. “He loved life and he loved people,” she said. “He made everyone feel special.”
Rising to fame in the 1990s as heartthrob Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives, Patrick went on to build a successful career spanning film and television, including a standout role in Starship Troopers. His impact on the industry, and on those who worked alongside him, has been widely acknowledged in the wake of his passing.
He is survived by his partner Miriam Rothbart, his parents, and his extended family, all of whom are now grappling with the sudden loss of a man they describe as irreplaceable.
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