A newly released Los Angeles County coroner’s report confirms that Pamela Bach, 62— actress and former wife of “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff—died in March from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after ingesting several powerful prescription medications.
Toxicology Details
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Benzodiazepines detected (a drug class that includes Valium and Xanax, often prescribed for anxiety).
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Clonazepam and its metabolite 7-Aminoclonazepam, both typically used to treat panic and seizure disorders.
Investigators noted no other illicit substances or alcohol at lethal levels, indicating the sedatives likely worsened her mental state but were not the direct cause of death.
Final Phone Call
The report states that around 7:45 a.m. on the day she died, Bach phoned one of her daughters, ending the conversation with “I love you very much.” Repeated calls and texts from the daughter went unanswered. Hours later, that daughter discovered Bach unresponsive in her bedroom and dialed 911. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene; no suicide note was found.
Family’s Public Response
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Taylor Hasselhoff, 35, shared childhood photos on Instagram, calling her mother “my best friend, my whole heart.” She promised to tell her infant daughter, London, “all about how incredible you are.”
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Younger daughter Hayley Hasselhoff, 32, has maintained a lower profile but reposted her sister’s tribute.
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Through a spokesperson, David Hasselhoff, 72, asked for privacy, saying the family is “deeply saddened.”
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A Career Beyond “Baywatch”
Although best known for playing café owner Kaye Morgan on “Baywatch,” Bach’s résumé stretched back to Francis Ford Coppola’s “Rumble Fish” (1983) and included guest spots on “Knight Rider,” where she first met Hasselhoff. In a quirky twist that many fans forget, she later appeared on “Celebrity Big Brother UK” in 2011, where she was briefly housemates with actor Michael Madsen and reality-TV staple Denise Welch.
Broader Context: Benzodiazepines & Mental Health
The case highlights a sobering statistic: benzodiazepine-linked suicides among women aged 50 and older have risen by almost 30 percent in the past decade, according to CDC trend data. Mental-health advocates urge patients never to discontinue or combine these medications without medical supervision, stressing the importance of regular check-ins, especially when depression is present.
If You or Someone You Know Needs Help
In the U.S., dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For international hotlines, visit https://findahelpline.com, or contact your local emergency services. No one has to struggle alone.
