Tawny Kitaen Death: Heart Disease and Opioids the Cause

The ’80s video vixen’s cause of death was dilated cardiomyopathy his brother revealed.

The “Bachelor Party” star died from dilated cardiomyopathy, TMZ reported Wednesday, citing the Orange County Coroner’s Office. Other causes included clogged arteries, antidepressants, sedatives, nerve pain medication and opioids.

Her brother, Jordan Kitaen said that learning of the cause behind his sister’s death has brought him some relief.

And in an interview on Fox News Wednesday, he said his instinct from the beginning – that she died of a “broken heart” following their father’s death – apparently is true.

Kitaen started her career on the show “To Tell the Truth” in 1976 and then migrated to movies, where she attained a moderate success. She featured in a few classic music videos, like Whitesnake’s “Is This Love” and “Here I Go Again.”

She’s a “Bachelor Party,” star, she also starred in the 1984 French cult classic “The Perils of Gwendoline” and 2014’s “After Midnight.”

Kitaen died on May 7 at age 59 in her home in Newport Beach, California. And after cremation, her close family and friends recently gathered for an intimate celebration to honor her life.

She married lead singer David Coverdale in 1989, but the marriage lasted only two years. Kitaen then wed baseball star Chuck Finley in 1997, but the former couple

Kitaen had two daughters Wynter, 28, and Raine, 22 with her second husband and now retired baseball star Chuck Finley. They got married in 1997 but split up in 2002 following his claims that she had repeatedly kicked him during a domestic dispute. But her first marriage was with lead singer David Coverdale in 1989, but the marriage lasted only two years.

Kitaen’s daughters wrote on social media following her passing: “We are heartbroken and saddened to announce the death of our mom.” they wrote that “we just want to say thank you for [sic] 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 forever,” they added.