Actor Luke Westlake has tragically died aged just twenty-six.
His cause of death has since been confirmed. Read on for the full story...
The devastating news comes as a shock to everyone...
Tributes from his fans and friends have already come pouring in...
Rest well bro, a true unique & rare talent ✨
— S H A Q T A Y L O R (@TAYLORSHAQ_) June 22, 2020
Today we pay tribute to Luke Westlake, BA Acting 2017 graduate. A passionate individual, creative soul and brilliant actor, we are immensely saddened to hear of his passing. Our thoughts and love are with his family and all his friends. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/V1wVMPH2Oa
— ArtsEd (@ArtsEdLondon) June 22, 2020
Sincere condolences to his family, friends & colleagues. A terrible loss of a young life. RIP.
— Amanda Allan 💙 (@TheAmandaAllan) June 22, 2020
Rest in Paradise, Luke ❤️
— Tuwaine (@TuwaineBarrett) June 22, 2020
This is immensely sad, it’s best to talk people. Don’t suffer in silence @PropsMHealth
— U.K. Actors Support Network (@SupportBritish) June 22, 2020
Horrible news to hear and read! Thoughts with Luke's friends and family! ❤
— Ross Samuel 💙 (@RossCooper94) June 22, 2020
How sad, sending love to his friends and family. ❤️
— AC Actors (@ac_actors) June 22, 2020
We are so sorry for your loss. If you or any of your students need support, we are here 💙
— Applause for thought (@ApplauseThought) June 22, 2020
My condolences❤️
— Law Ballard (@LawBallard) June 23, 2020
After graduating from one of the UK's top drama schools, Westlake went on to appear in Luther, as well as BBC dramas No Offence and Doctors.
Very sad to read about #LukeWestlake. He did a great job for us on No Offence and was a professional, kind and personable man. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Can't imagine what you must be going through....
— Martin Carr (@nooclar) January 29, 2021
But the inquest heard that Westlake was stressed about the loss of work due to the pandemic and breaking up with a long-distance girlfriend.
Westlake graduated in 2017 from ArtsEd drama school, where artists such as Yungblood were first discovered.
@kyle_rowe & @kristianwalll and the members of @justaddmilkJAM set up the Luke Westlake scholarship that is going bless countless young artists at drama school. Let’s remember him by the legacy he left behind and the kind of man who can inspire such generosity in his friends ✨
— Jonathan Taiwo Ajayi (@MrJonathanA) January 28, 2021
He played the role of Adam Miller in ITV's Dark Heart as well as Dean Wayne in the 3rd series of No Offence.
A spokesman for the drama school said on Twitter: "Today we pay tribute to Luke Westlake, BA acting 2017 graduate. A passionate individual, creative soul and brilliant actor, we are immensely saddened to hear of his passing."
Memories of #LukeWestlake, by his fellow @ArtsEdLondon classmate @UniqueShabazz. This is so heartbreaking. Speak to each other; don’t allow friends to be defeated. We’re all in this together. #MentalHealthMatters https://t.co/DTyajpXQof
— Mark Shenton 💙 (@ShentonStage) June 23, 2020
The BWH Agency, which represented Westlake said it was "with extreme sadness we honor our beautiful client Luke Westlake.
"Luke was an exceptionally brilliant, instinctive and truly transformative actor whose passing is nothing short of a tragedy."
The cause of death was concluded as a suicide following a post mortem examination...
An article that came out this week about Luke Westlake has had me thinking a lot this week.
— Grace Blackman (@GracieBlackman) January 30, 2021
I'm not going to share it for multiple reasons.
Instead, please see below for more about him and the scholarship that has been created in his name. https://t.co/wIlMrjuJwI
And a toxicologist discovered THC in Westlake's body, showing heavy cannabis use.
As well as this, the inquest at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, was told that in the months before his death Westlake had been desperately seeking therapy for childhood abuse.
(2/2) Whatever you’re going through, you can call Samaritans free any time on 116 123 (this number will not appear on your phone bill), email them, or find the details of your nearest branch: https://t.co/RJhRhSkUhb
— ArtsEd (@ArtsEdLondon) June 22, 2020
Classmates from his drama school have since set up The Luke Westlake Scholarship, rewarding a student with more than £3,000 ($4,105) worth of financial support for their first years in the industry.
Rest in peace.
If you or anyone you know needs help or is struggling with their mental health, please speak up. You can talk to the Samaritans in your area here.