Tawny Kitaen’s cause of death revealed five months after Whitesnake video star died

Tawny Kitaen died in May (Picture: Michael Tran/FilmMagic)

Tawny Kitaen’s cause of death has been revealed as dilated cardiomyopathy with the results coming five months after the actress died.

The 1980s star, who appeared in Whitesnake’s music video for Here I Go Again, died at the start of May at the age of 59.

According to the Orange County Coroner’s Office, as reported by TMZ, Kitaen’s official cause of death was dilated cardiomyopathy, a common type of heart disease, with other contributing factors being clogged arteries, as well as antidepressants, sedatives, Tylenol, nerve pain medication and opioids.

Kitaen, real name Julie Ellen Kitaen, died at her home in Newport Beach in California on the morning of May 7, with her daughters Wynter and Raine releasing a statement following her death.

They wrote at the time: ‘We are heartbroken and saddened to announce the death of our mum. We just want to say thank you for all of you, her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love.

‘You gave her life everyday. We miss her and love her and we know her legacy will live on forever.’

Tawny had found fame in the 80s (Picture: Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)

Kitaen got her break in showbiz in 1984 in the comedy Bachelor Party, where she played Debbie, the fiancée of Tom Hanks’ character Rick.

As well as starring in several other films throughout the 1980s, but made a name for herself as the original ‘video vixen’.

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She starred in several videos for Whitesnake as well as appearing on the covers of two albums from the heavy metal band Ratt as well as starring in their music video for Back for More.

Kitaen also appeared on reality TV shows in recent years including The Surreal Life, VH1’s Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew and Botched, where she underwent an operation to correct previous cosmetic surgery.

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MORE : Whitesnake video star and actress Tawny Kitaen dies aged 59