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‘Happy Days’ Star Erin Moran’s Cause of Death Revealed — Plus the Cast Pays Tribute to Joanie Cunningham

Rest in peace, Erin Moran.

The actress — who was most known for her portrayal of Joanie Cunningham on the hit sitcom Happy Days — sadly died on Saturday, April 22 after being found unresponsive at her home in Harrison County, Indiana. She was 56 years old.

In a statement obtained exclusively by Closer, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and the Harrison County Coroner’s Office ruled that Erin’s cause of death was due to cancer.

“A subsequent autopsy revealed that Mrs. Moran likely succumbed to complications of stage 4 cancer,” the statement revealed. “Standard toxicology tests were performed and the results are pending, however, no illegal narcotics were found at the residence.”

Shortly after her death, iconic faces from the cast of the 1980s show took to social media to pay special tributes to the late star.

MORE: Henry Winkler Shares Why He’ll Never Get Tired Talking About “The Fonz!” (EXCLUSIVE)

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Erin in 2009.

Her on-screen older brother Richie Cunningham (played by Ron Howard) wrote on Twitter, “Such sad sad news. RIP Erin. I’ll always choose to remember you on our show making scenes better, getting laughs and lighting up tv screens.”

Fonzie (aka Henry Winkler) followed with, “OH Erin… now you will finally have the peace you wanted so badly here on earth… Rest In It serenely now.. too soon.”

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Erin’s co-star in the spinoff, Joannie Loves Chachi, Scott Baio, remembered the late star on Facebook. “May people remember Erin for her contagious smile, warm heart, and animal loving soul. I always hoped she could find peace in her life. God has you now, Erin,” he wrote.

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Erin with her TV family on Happy Days.

Ralph Malph from Happy Days (portrayed by Don Most) took to Twitter to say, “So incredibly sad to hear about Erin. A wonderful, sweet, caring, talented woman.I can’t really comprehend this right now. Very painful loss.”

MORE: Closer Weekly Remembers Late ‘Happy Days’ Star Al Molinaro (EXCLUSIVE)

Our thoughts are with Erin’s family and friends during this difficult time.

Click through the gallery below to see the cast of Happy Days then and now!