Nelsan Ellis’ Family Reveals He Died Due To Complications From Alcohol Withdrawal

Nelsan Ellis struggled with drug and alcohol abuse for years. His addiction eventually cost him lis life.
As reported, Nelsan passed away on Saturday at the age of 39 due to complications from heart failure — a direct result of his battle with addiction.
Nelsan’s family wants to make his struggles known so that it may serve as a ‘cautionary tale’ for others.
In an effort to help others who may be struggling with the same addictions that afflicted Ellis, his family released the following statement to THR:
Nelsan’s father, has bravely agreed for me to share the circumstances of Nelsan’s heart failure. Nelsan has suffered with drug and alcohol abuse for years. After many stints in rehab, Nelsan attempted to withdraw from alcohol on his own. According to his father, during his withdrawal from alcohol he had a blood infection, his kidneys shut down, his liver was swollen, his blood pressure plummeted, and his dear sweet heart raced out of control.
On the morning of Saturday July 8th, after four days in Woodhull Hospital, Nelsan was pronounced dead. Nelsan was a gentle, generous and kind soul. He was a father, a son, a grandson, a brother, a nephew, and a great friend to those that were lucky enough to know him. Nelsan was ashamed of his addiction and thus was reluctant to talk about it during his life. His family, however, believes that in death he would want his life to serve as a cautionary tale in an attempt to help others.