Heath Ledger, 1979-2008
This photo of Heath Ledger is from his last film 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.' It was to be his last role, just a few days later he was found dead in his New York apartment after suffering an accidental overdose from prescription medication on January 22nd, 2008.
My mother, Eileen Jane Williams, about a year before she died of a pneumonia-induced stroke (September 7, 1954 - February 3, 2022) enjoying her first grandchild (my nephew).
Her death hit me hard. We were close, and I took care of her in the years before her passing. I wish I had more pictures of her, but she always hated having her picture taken.
Anton Yelchin, 1989-2016
This photo of Anton Yelchin was his last self portrait posted on his Instagram. Three days later on June 19th, 2016, the 27-year-old actor died in a freak car accident outside his home. Yelchin's Jeep rolled backwards down his driveway, trapping him against a brick mailbox pillar and security fence. The Jeep crushed his lungs, and he is believed to have died within a minute of impact.
River Phoenix, 1970-1993
This the very last picture of River Phoenix, taken 2 days before his death. On the evening of October 30th, 1993, Phoenix was to perform with his close friend Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, at a Hollywood nightclub partly owned at the time by actor Johnny Depp. During the early morning hours of October 31st, 1993, Phoenix suffered a drug overdose, collapsed outside and convulsed for over five minutes. Toxicology studies showed high concentrations of morphine and cocaine in his blood, as well as other substances in smaller concentrations. The cause of death was listed as acute multiple drug intoxication.
Vladimir Lenin, 1870-1924
This is the last known photo of Vladimir Lenin, taken in May, 1923. He had suffered three strokes by this time and was completely mute. He passed away on January 21st, 1924 aged 53. The official cause of death was recorded as an 'incurable disease of the blood vessels,' and while there have been speculations that he had died of complications from syphilis, these rumours are unsubstantiated.