Chaney Kley was a talented actor who starred in several movies and TV shows, such as Darkness Falls, Legally Blonde, and The Shield. He was also a stage actor who won a prestigious award for his performance in The Angels of Lemnos. However, his life was cut short at the age of 34, when he died in his sleep on July 24, 2007. What was the cause of his death, and how was it discovered years after his passing?
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Chaney Kley’s Early Life and Career
Chaney Kley Minnis was born on August 20, 1972, in Manassas, Virginia, and raised in Denver, Colorado. He attended Denver’s Thomas Jefferson High School, and the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, where he earned a BFA in drama. After graduating from college, Kley relocated to Chicago where he began working as a stage actor. He starred in a 1998 Chicago Dramatists’ production of The Angels of Lemnos, for which he won a Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor.
Kley made his film debut in 2001, portraying Brandon in Legally Blonde. He then appeared on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, NCIS, Cold Case, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Las Vegas. His most notable role was as Kyle Walsh, the lead character in the 2003 horror movie Darkness Falls. His last film was One Way to Valhalla, which was released posthumously in 2009.
Chaney Kley’s Death and Autopsy
According to his father, Kley died in his sleep from an apparent breathing problem, which he believed to be sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep, which can lead to low oxygen levels, high blood pressure, heart problems, and even death. Kley’s father said that his son had been suffering from sleep apnea for a long time, and that he had tried various treatments, such as surgery and a CPAP machine, but none of them worked.
However, after an autopsy was performed, the cause of death was revealed to be a drug overdose, which was confirmed by his father afterward. The autopsy report showed that Kley had a lethal combination of cocaine, heroin, and prescription drugs in his system, which caused his heart to stop. His father said that he was shocked and devastated by the news, and that he had no idea that his son was using drugs. He said that he hoped that his son’s death would serve as a warning to others who might be struggling with addiction.
Chaney Kley’s Legacy and Memory
Chaney Kley was buried in Denver, Colorado, where he had spent most of his childhood. He was remembered by his family, friends, fans, and colleagues as a kind, generous, and talented person, who had a bright future ahead of him. His father said that he was proud of his son’s achievements, and that he hoped that people would remember him for his work, not his death. He also said that he missed his son every day, and that he wished he could have helped him more.
Chaney Kley’s death was a tragic loss for the entertainment industry, and for everyone who knew and loved him. He left behind a legacy of memorable performances, and a message of hope and courage. He once said in an interview, “I think the most important thing is to be happy, and to do what you love, and to follow your dreams.”