Autopsy shows Brad Renfro died of heroin overdose

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Brad Renfro, a former child star in films such as "The Client" and "Tom and Huck," died of an accidental overdose of heroin, the Los Angeles coroner's office said in a report on Friday. Renfro, who was known to have battled drug abuse, was found dead in his Los Angeles home on January 15. He was 25.

No foul play was suspected, the coroner's office spokesman said.

The Tennessee native earned his first leading role in a major movie at age 12 in 1994 legal thriller "The Client," starring Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones. He subsequently played the role of Huck Finn in "Tom and Huck" based on the popular characters by author Mark Twain.

While he worked on TV and in movies throughout recent years, his life and career were marked more by drug and legal problems than Hollywood roles. As a teenager he was arrested on drug charges in Tennessee and for stealing in Florida.

In 2005, he was arrested for trying to buy heroin during a Los Angeles police sting operation in an area known for buying and selling drugs. He pleaded guilty in February 2006, was ordered into a drug treatment program, and placed on three years probation.The 25-year-old actor was found dead at his Los Angeles home this morning. The cause of death has not been determined, however, Renfro had a history of drug abuse.

Sources tell us Renfro, who had starring roles in "The Client" and "Apt Pupil" had been working valiantly to stay clean, especially since this summer. Renfro had been convicted of several drug offenses, including attempted heroin possession.

Renfro had been filming a movie with Winona Ryder and Billy Bob Thornton. The movie, "The Informers," just wrapped.

Renfro has had a rough time personally since moving from Tennessee to Los Angeles. His parents split, and we're told he did not have real guidance from adults as he tried navigating the treacherous movie industry.