Luke Perry's Cause of Death Revealed to Be a Stroke

Beloved actor Luke Perry died at age 52 on Monday, March 4 — and now we finally know exactly why.

Closer Weekly can confirm that Luke’s cause of death was an “ischemic cerebrovascular accident,” per the actor’s death certificate. This refers to the massive stroke he suffered a few days prior, on February 27, and indicates that he was ultimately never able to recover from it. The document also revealed that Luke was buried in Dickson, Tennessee, on Monday, March 11. This is where the Riverdale star had a farm and resided part-time.

Arnold Robinson, Luke’s rep, gave a statement to Closer Weekly shortly after the tragic news broke. It read: “He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancée Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, stepfather Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends. The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world and respectfully request privacy in this great time of mourning. No further details will be released at this time.”

After Luke’s passing, tributes poured in for him from those who worked with him throughout his decades-long career as well as from his fiancée and his daughter. Fellow Beverly Hills, 90210 alums like Shannen Doherty, Jason Priestley and Tiffani Thiessen added their respects in the following days.

Luke’s final role will be Quentin Tarantino‘s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which arrives in theaters this summer. He is best known for TV shows like Another World, Oz, Jeremiah and Windfall as well as appeared in movies like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 8 Seconds and The Fifth Element. Though he hadn’t joined the cast, a sort-of reboot for Beverly Hills, 90210 was recently announced at FOX with many of Luke’s former costars returning.