Scott Baio Claimed Erin Moran Died Of Heroin Overdose Before He Knew Cause Of Death

Former “Happy Days” star Scott Baio found himself in hot water after he accused his co-star, Erin Moran, of dying from a heroin overdose Saturday. She was 56 years old. In reality, she likely died from Stage 4 cancer. The autopsy report with the official cause of death is still pending.

Baio found out Moran died after his wife received a text Saturday afternoon. “No press or media had reported this,” he wrote on his official Facebook page Monday. “I thought it may be a hoax.”

READ: How Did Erin Moran Die?

Baio knew it was true when TMZ reported her death at approximately 9 p.m. EDT Saturday. “I was sad, in disbelief, sick to my stomach and in complete shock,” he penned.

The following day, Baio heard a phony report that Moran died from an overdose. “This made me very upset and angry. This is one of my worst fears for her, or anyone else. Especially in this business. I was on an emotional rollercoaster,” he said. “I hadn't slept well since the news of her passing.”

The next morning, he was asked about Moran’s troubled life, where she struggled with alcohol abuse. At the time, he was under the assumption she died from a heroin overdose and talked about it during a Monday radio interview.

“I was asked ONLY about Erin's troubled past due to drug & alcohol abuse. I was still upset and said I felt that living that kind of a lifestyle will catch up with you and nothing good would come of it,” he wrote. “THIS WAS BEFORE THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS ANNOUNCED STATING STAGE 4 CANCER.”

Baio, 56, talked about his love for Moran, saying she was his “very real first girlfriend.”

“Please stop assuming the worse in me. I'm a compassionate person. I'm very heartbroken over her passing, especially since it was cancer,” he concluded. “I don't see people going after or attacking every network that said it was a drug overdose. I've openly stated my truths. I'm done.”

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