'How to Eat Fried Worms' Star Blake Garrett's Cause of Death Confirmed 5 Months Later — His Mom's Words Now Hit Differently

A beloved former child star's sudden passing left fans devastated earlier this year, but newly released investigation details have exposed a heartbreaking twist.

This talented young actor built an impressive Hollywood resume before most kids finished elementary school, only to vanish from the spotlight.

Years later, a sudden tragedy in Oklahoma raised painful questions. His passing in February stunned the people who grew up watching him on screen.

From 'Barney' to Big Screen Success

Born in Austin, Texas, Blake Garrett possessed a natural gift for performing from an incredibly young age. He quickly landed early lead roles in local stage productions, including "Aladdin and His Magical Lamp" and "Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute."

His early theatrical success caught the attention of major casting directors. At just ten years old, he hit the road to perform in the massive arena show "Barney's Colorful World International Tour."

His biggest break arrived in 2006 when he secured the role of Plug in the family comedy movie "How to Eat Fried Worms." The memorable performance earned Garrett and his talented castmates a prestigious Young Artist Award for Best Young Ensemble Cast.

A Sudden and Mysterious Loss

As the years passed, the former child star stepped away from the intense pressures of the Hollywood spotlight. He eventually relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he focused on rebuilding his life away from cameras.

Sadly, his quiet new life was cut short on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Garrett passed away suddenly at the age of 33, leaving his family and fans searching for answers.

In the immediate aftermath of his death, the family faced an agonizing wait. His mother, Carol Garrett, spoke to TMZ to share some details while they awaited the autopsy results.

She shared that her son had spent the last three years living a truly wonderful life in Tulsa. According to Carol, he had successfully turned things around after finally achieving sobriety.

The Medical Examiner's Grim Discovery

During that initial interview, Carol revealed a crucial piece of information about the days leading up to his death. She explained that Blake had recently gone to an Oklahoma emergency room after experiencing intense pain.

Doctors at the hospital diagnosed the 33-year-old with shingles, a painful viral infection. Carol admitted she believed her son may have self-medicated to cope with the agonizing physical pain.

She feared that his sudden death could have been a tragic accident. Now, five months later, the official report has confirmed her worst fears. According to the official autopsy summary obtained by TMZ, Garrett died of fentanyl toxicity.

The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner officially ruled his passing an accident. The report also noted that the former child star died while residing at a sober living house in Tulsa. This detail highlights just how fragile his hard-won, three-year sobriety truly was.

A Heartbreaking Trend in the Industry

Sadly, Garrett's tragic passing is part of a deeply concerning pattern involving former child stars. His death closely mirrors several other devastating losses that have rocked the entertainment industry.

In November 2023, fans mourned the loss of former child actor Evan Ellingson, who died at the age of 35. He was found dead inside a bedroom at a home in Fontana, California.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner later confirmed that Ellingson died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl. His father revealed that the residence was a sober living home where he had been staying to overcome drug addiction.

Ellingson had previously appeared on shows like "General Hospital" and "Mad TV." He also played a younger version of Christopher Titus on the Fox sitcom "Titus" in 2000.

He later portrayed the nephew of Jack Bauer on "24" and David Caruso's son on "CSI: Miami" from 2007 to 2010. He was also well known for playing Jesse Fitzgerald in the 2009 film "My Sister's Keeper."

Battling the Same Silent Demon

Earlier that same year, another beloved child star fell victim to the exact same substance. In January 2023, "Eight is Enough" star Adam Rich was found dead in his Los Angeles home.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner's office later ruled that Rich died from the effects of fentanyl, calling it an accident. The actor, affectionately nicknamed "America's Little Brother," was 54 years old.

Rich rose to fame at age eight playing the mop-topped son of a widower newspaper columnist on the ABC family dramedy. He later appeared in "Code Red" and "Dungeons & Dragons," and made guest appearances on "Baywatch" and "The Love Boat."

Throughout his life, Rich had multiple run-ins with the law related to his substance use. He was arrested in 1991 for trying to break into a pharmacy and again for allegedly stealing a syringe at a hospital.

A DUI arrest followed in 2002 after he struck a parked highway patrol vehicle. Despite these challenges, Rich tweeted in October 2022 that he had successfully achieved seven years of sobriety.

His publicist, Danny Deraney, revealed that the actor suffered from a severe type of treatment-resistant depression. Deraney stated, "He was just a very kind, generous, loving soul" and noted that "Being a famous actor is not necessarily what he wanted to be. ... He had no ego, not an ounce of it."

Another Bright Star Gone Too Soon

The fentanyl epidemic also claimed the life of "Euphoria" star Angus Cloud during the summer of 2023. The 25-year-old actor was pronounced dead at his family's home in Oakland, California, on July 31.

The Alameda County Coroner's Office later confirmed that Cloud's cause of death was acute intoxication. The fatal incident was caused by the combined effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and benzodiazepines.

Cloud had been openly struggling with his mental health and was grieving the recent loss of his father. His dad, whom the family described as his best friend, had been buried just one week prior.

In a public statement, Cloud's family shared, "The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental health, and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence."

HBO also released a statement praising the young actor's immense talent and expressing deep sadness. Cloud had quickly rose to fame playing the lovable drug dealer Fez on "Euphoria." Before his passing, he also appeared in the drama "North Hollywood" and the 2023 film "The Line."

He left behind several posthumous film credits, including "Your Lucky Day" and "Freaky Tales." He had also been expected to return for the third season of his hit HBO series.

Remembering Blake Garrett

For Garrett, the journey to sobriety was a long and hard-fought victory. The tragic confirmation of his cause of death serves as a painful reminder of how easily that peace can be shattered.

Fans will continue to remember him for his bright smile and his unforgettable performance as Plug. His family remains in the thoughts of many as they navigate this devastating loss.