Sons of Anarchy star Johnny Lewis, who once dated Katy Perry, strangled an 81-year-old woman to death and killed her cat then died himself in what was considered an accident
Actor Johnny Lewis had gone to the legendary Writers’ Villa in Los Angeles, California, as part of a major effort to rebuild his life.
But it was there that his long path of destruction finally came to an end in the most harrowing, unimaginable tragedy. Lewis, then 28, inexplicably attacked a neighbour, killed his 81-year-old landlady and her pet cat, before falling to his death.
Just a few years earlier, fresh from starring in popular teen drama The O.C. he had dated Katy Perry.
His fall from grace was as dramatic as it was quick. Things really started to go downhill for the Sons of Anarchy star when he split up with his actor girlfriend Diane Gaeta in 2010, the same year their daughter, Culla May was born.
In October 2011, he suffered head injuries in a horror motorbike accident. Doctors recommended an MRI scan. Lewis’s dad also “pursued and encouraged psychiatric treatment for his son”. But Johnny refused both the scan and treatment.
His behaviour became erratic. In January, 2012, he got into a fight, hitting two men with a bottle. He pleaded no contest to charges of assault with a deadly women. Six weeks later, he was accused of trying to break into a woman’s home, again pleading no contest.
Not long after, a probation official expressed concern for Lewis’s own welfare as well as that of those around him, citing mental health and drug problems. They said Lewis would “continue to be a threat to any community he may reside in”.
His family, in a bid to avoid a trial, pushed for rehab for either marijuana or alcohol addiction. At the beginning of August, 2012, he agreed to be detailed for “time served” with assurances he would spend just a few more days behind bars. He ended up staying in jail for almost two more months. During this time, both his physical and mental health declined.
On September 21, he was released. Five days later, he, his landlady and her cat were dead.
He had spent time at the Writers’ Villa, a B&B for aspiring actors, a couple of years earlier, so it made sense that he wanted to return there as part of his recovery plan. At the time, he was still reeling from a “long and painful” custody battle with Gaeta.
But police were called to the property after neighbours reported a violent rampage. Lewis had apparently jumped over a fence into a neighbouring house, attacking both a house painter and the homeowner.
According to witnesses, he introduced himself as “John, your new neighbour,” before the assault. When officers arrived back at the Villa, they discovered the body of Catherine Davis, the 81-year-old landlady affectionately known as the ‘Hollywood Hills Philanthropist’, inside the property with severe head injuries.
Her cat was also found dead. Lewis’s body was discovered on the driveway below, after he either fell or jumped from the roof, garage or patio, according to LAPD reports.
Los Angeles Magazine later reported that police at the scene “noted that Lewis’s left eye socket was caved in” and that “his skull was smashed just to the left of centre”. Officers concluded he had plunged from either the second floor or the roof and died instantly.
Despite early speculation that substances may have played a part in his behaviour, the full autopsy report released in November 2012 revealed Lewis had no drugs or alcohol in his system. Toxicology tests showed no trace of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, psychedelic substances or anti-psychotic medication.
Authorities ultimately ruled his death accidental, stating there was no evidence he had been pushed or that he intended to take his own life. The coroner’s report stated: “Decedent died of a fall. We do not have definitive evidence that the decedent intended to kill himself.
“We also do not at this time have any evidence that he was pushed. Therefore, the manner of death is accidental.”
Criminal psychologist Lydia Benecke has suggested Lewis could have suffered from organic personality disorder, which was made worse by the head injury sustained in the 2011 accident.
In the aftermath, Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter shared a heartfelt message, describing Lewis as “an extremely talented guy, who unfortunately had lost his way”.
He added: “I am deeply sorry that an innocent life had to be thrown into his destructive path. Yes, it’s a day of mourning, but it’s also a day of awareness and gratitude. Sadly, some of us carry the message by dying.”
Source: Mirror
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