While officials aren’t ready to name the reason that Michael K. Williams was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment Monday, “The Wire” actor’s death has triggered a criminal investigation, with TMZ reporting that police are trying to find the person who may have supplied him with drugs.
TMZ and the New York Post have reported that drugs were found Williams’ apartment Monday, leading law enforcement sources to suspect that he died of a drug overdose. The results of a toxicology test, which would confirm a drug overdose, won’t be ready for several weeks.
Williams, 54, was open in interviews about his drug addiction and his efforts to stay sober. In a 2012 interview, he revealed that he wasted his earnings from “The Wire” on drugs, and said he was “playing with fire,” fearing it was “just a matter of time” before he ended up dead.
More recently, he told podcaster Marc Maron about being in recovery, acknowledging that relapse “is part of my story.”
“But I’m living good today, you know,” Williams said. “All’s we got is today.”
While Williams’ death is not labeled “suspicious,” TMZ said New York City police detectives want to locate the origin of the narcotics found in Williams’ apartment. If that’s the case, their investigation sounds similar to what occurred following the 2014 overdose death of Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Hoffman was found dead in his West Village apartment at age 46. Authorities said he died of an acute mixed-drug intoxication that included heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines and amphetamine. Following Hoffman’s death, his jazz musician friend, Robert Arron Vineberg, was charged with selling Hoffman heroin, The Ringer reported. Vineberg eventually pleaded guilty to felony drug possession and sentence to five months’ probation.
As with Hoffman’s death, Williams’ loss is being widely felt across the entertainment industry and in his hometown of New York City. Williams, like Hoffman, was regarded as a singular talent in TV and films.
A five-time Emmy nominee with a signature scar down his face, Williams is best known for portraying Omar Little in “The Wire.” Omar, a quick-witted, shotgun-toting stickup man from Baltimore’s criminal underbelly, became one of the most memorable characters in all of TV history, with former President Barack Obama saying that Omar was one reason he loved “The Wire.”
Following “The Wire,” Williams won acclaim for his roles in HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire,” “The Night Of,” “Lovecraft Country” and numerous films and other TV series.
Among those mourning Williams’ loss is New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, whose agency reportedly is conducting the investigation. Shea told the New York Post that he had met with Williams earlier this year about him working with the NYPD on some unspecified projects.
Shea called Williams’ death “very sad.”
“I say that from someone that spoke to and met Michael earlier this year,” the commissioner said. “Just such a tragic case … where, you know somebody in his prime of his life, really tremendous … great person.”