The cause of death for The Real L Word star Francine Beppu has been disclosed. Beppu, who passed away at the age of 43, died by suicide on February 17, as reported by the Honolulu Medical Examiner. This information was shared by TMZ on Tuesday, June 16.
The examiner’s office also conducted toxicology tests, which revealed the presence of amphetamine and alcohol in her system at the time of her death.
Beppu, who appeared on the second season of the Showtime reality series in 2011, was confirmed deceased by a family spokesperson, who communicated with People a few days later. The family’s statement expressed their sorrow: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved Francine ‘Naoko’ Beppu. The outpouring of care and concern from her friends and colleagues is a testament to the tremendous impact she had on everyone around her. We are deeply grateful to know how cherished she was and how brightly she will continue to shine through all who knew her.”
The family also expressed their gratitude for “the many gestures of love for Francine” and asked for privacy as they dealt with “this unimaginable loss and honor her memory.”
The Real L Word was a spin-off of The L Word, a Showtime drama series about a group of lesbian and bisexual women living in West Hollywood, California. It aired from 2004 to 2009 before The Real L Word continued with new characters, including Beppu, in Los Angeles and New York City.
Beppu appeared in only one season of the show, during which she was shown coming out as a lesbian to her mother, alongside her then-girlfriend Claire Moseley.
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In a 2022 interview with The Hawai’i Herald, Beppu shared that coming out was challenging, even though it seemed smooth on camera. She remarked, “There were some tears but at the end of the day, my mom wants what’s best for me. My parents are great. They’ve been very accepting. I’m really lucky to have them.”
Despite her brief appearance on the show, Beppu remained a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She served as a chairperson for the Hawai’i LGBT Legacy Foundation, which aims to empower individuals and communities through education, cultural enrichment, and advocacy to create a world where MVPFAFF/LGBTQIA individuals can thrive free from discrimination and prejudice, as stated on its website.
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