RIP: 'Young & The Restless' Star Kristoff St. John Dies At 52

In incredibly sad news, "Young & The Restless" star Kristoff St. John has passed away. He was 52. Details inside...

Kristoff St. John, the 52-year-old actor who rose to fame as Neil Winters on the "Young & The Resltess," was pronounced dead yesterday inside his home.

According to TMZ, a friend of the actor went to his home in San Fernando Valley yesterday to check on him and found his body. Police and paramedics responded to the call and he was pronounced dead on the scene. Reportedly, there was no sign of foul play, however, a source tells TMZ alcohol may have played a role.

The EMMY nominated actor has a troubled history with suicide. His son, Julian St. John - whom he shares with his ex-wife/WBC champ Mia St. John - took his own life in 2014. He suffered mental illness and killed himself inside of a mental health facility. Kristoff and Mia sued the facility for negligence. The suit was eventually settled. After their son's death, they both founded the El Saber es Poder (Knowledge is Power) Foundation to battle mental illness.

It's reported Mia posted and deleted a tribute to Kristoff on social media, where she wrote, "THAT HOSPITAL KILLED OUR SON @TheArtofJulian THEN MY HUSBAND @kristoffstjohn1. THATS WHAT HAPPENED! THEY KILLED MY FAMILY"

In October 2017 (on the anniversary of his son's suicide), it was reported Kristoff was hospitalized for a psychiatric evaluation after he allegedly threatened to kill himself with a gun.

Kristoff brought in the New Year with his girlfriend:

 

 

 

 

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New Year with my love @ksumik

A post shared by Kristoff St. John (@kristoffstjohn) on Dec 31, 2018 at 4:37pm PST

 

 

 

 

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Happy New Year everyone.My love @ksumik

A post shared by Kristoff St. John (@kristoffstjohn) on Jan 2, 2019 at 1:04am PST

She posted a message on social media trying to wrap her head around the fact he's gone:

 

 

 

 

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How did it happen ??? How ??? Why did you leave so early ???? and left me alone ..... I can’t believe you were everything to me .... you were a loving father, a loving man,.....how

A post shared by Ksumik (@ksumik) on Feb 4, 2019 at 6:42am PST

Celebs are shocked by the news of his death. Actors Dondre T. Whitfield and Yvette Nicole Brown posted tributes: 

 

 

 

 

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It was only yesterday that he and I ran into each at a store and stood there talking about fatherhood, love, and the great joy and tremendous responsibilities of life. For an hour this conversation went on and it felt like we never had enough time. Whenever we spoke we BRIEFLY spoke about our careers! I loved that we BOTH knew the importance of life. We competed in daytime television in the same category for Emmy awards but in life we were like-minded allies! I adored this Man who was one of the most genuine I’ve ever come across. My heart is broken that he is gone. My brother King, I salute you and celebrate you. You will be missed. #MaleVsMan

A post shared by Dondré T. Whitfield (@alldondre) on Feb 4, 2019 at 7:29am PST

 

 

 

 

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I am still trying to process the news that this dear, dear man is gone. Forgive me if what I say here doesn’t come together just right, but I have to say something about @kristoffstjohn. He deserves as loving a tribute as my early morning sadness can muster. #KristoffStJohn was love. Just pure and simple: love. He was the kind of person you meet who you feel like you’ve known your entire life. He had a gift for making people feel instantly at ease. He could immediately diffuse any nervousness you had. In my case, I was a ball of nerves because I was playing my first role on a soap opera ever...on #YandR which happened to be one of my FAVORITE soap operas...AND I was meeting HIM, who I had been a fan of most of my life. It could have been a scary, heavy moment. Kristoff made it LIGHT. In my character, Lois’ subsequent visits to Genoa City, Kristoff was more of the same. Kind, encouraging, playful, fun and present. He saw me. He saw EVERYONE. He made time for everyone. He celebrated everyone. No matter who you were. He saw you. We spent our last lunch break together (the day this picture was taken) eating with a background actor who had been sitting alone in the commissary. Not on Kristoff’s watch. He called her over to join us and the three of us had an amazing time. She got to geek out and ask every question she had and she and I both properly fan-girled over the gift of this lovely man. Kristoff made that moment happen. He saw her. More importantly he felt her. He didn’t want her to be alone in a new place. He did the same for me. That is who he was a man. He was just GOOD. I am heartbroken to hear that he is gone. So heartbroken. #RIP dear heart.

A post shared by Yvette Nicole Brown (@yvettenicolebrown) on Feb 4, 2019 at 6:35am PST

So sad. Prayers up for his family, friends and fans.

Photos: Kathy Hutchins/Shuttershock.com