how did benji gregory die

Benji Gregory, best known for playing Brian Tanner on the 1980s sitcom ALF , died from environmental heat exposure in the setting of hepatic cirrhosis , according to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s report. His death was ruled an accident.

How he died

• Gregory was found dead in his car in a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona, on June 13, 2024 , at age 46.

• The official cause lists heat exposure (essentially vehicular heatstroke) combined with liver cirrhosis , meaning his already damaged liver made it harder for his body to cope with extreme heat.

• Temperatures in Peoria that day were around 107–109 degrees Fahrenheit , and his sister said he likely went to the bank the evening before to deposit residuals, fell asleep in the car, and never got out.

Health and mental‑health context

• His sister, Rebecca Hertzberg‑Pfaffinger, told TMZ that Gregory had long‑standing depression, bipolar disorder, and a sleep disorder that sometimes kept him awake for days.

• The cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) was likely the result of chronic liver damage, though the exact cause of that damage has not been publicly disclosed.

His service dog

• Gregory’s service dog, Hans , was also found dead in the car, having succumbed to the same extreme heat.

• Family and fans have since described both deaths as tragic and avoidable, underscoring how dangerous Arizona summer heat can be inside a parked vehicle.

If you’d like, a brief timeline or a mini‑tribute‑style section about his career and legacy can follow this.