Ray Vitte was an American actor who starred in several comedy and drama films in the 1970s and early 1980s. He also made numerous guest appearances on television shows and was a cast member of the show Doc in 1976. Some of his notable roles include playing the bass player in Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke, a disco DJ in Thank God It’s Friday, and a police officer in David Cassidy: Man Undercover. However, his promising career was cut short by a tragic and mysterious death in 1983. What was the cause of death of Ray Vitte and how did it happen? In this article, we will explore the facts and circumstances surrounding his demise.
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The Fever and the Tests
According to PopDaze, in the weeks leading up to his death, Vitte suffered from a chronic fever that ran as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This symptom eventually induced him to have tests run eight days before his death on February 12, 1983. The tests revealed that he had sickle cell disease, a genetic disorder that affects the red blood cells and causes them to become sickle-shaped, rigid, and sticky. This can lead to various complications such as anemia, infections, pain crises, organ damage, and stroke.
Sickle cell disease is more common among people of African descent, but it can also affect people of other ethnicities. Vitte was of mixed race, with a black father and a white mother. He was unaware of his condition until the tests confirmed it. He was prescribed medication and advised to rest at home.
The Outburst and the Struggle
However, on February 20, 1983, Vitte’s condition worsened and he started to act erratically. According to Wikipedia, neighbors called the police to his home in Studio City, Los Angeles, claiming that he had been making “religious shoutings laced with references to Muhammad” for more than 12 hours. When two police officers arrived at the scene, they found Vitte naked and agitated. They tried to calm him down and persuade him to go to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
Vitte allegedly lunged at one of the officers who subsequently struck him with a baton. Vitte attempted to run away, but was struck again by officers who also used tear gas with no effect. After Vitte ran away again, he fell down at the side of a swimming pool where officers handcuffed him and placed him into a squad car.
The Death and the Autopsy
While being transported to the hospital, Vitte became unresponsive and stopped breathing. The officers performed CPR on him until they reached the emergency room, but it was too late. Vitte was pronounced dead on arrival.
A spokesman for the coroner’s office said that preliminary results of an autopsy showed “superficial injuries consistent with a struggle” but which were “not responsible for his death”. According to the coroner’s report, Vitte died of complications from sickle cell disease. The report stated that Vitte had an enlarged heart, an enlarged spleen, and acute pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs). The report also noted that Vitte had traces of cocaine in his system, which may have contributed to his erratic behavior and increased his risk of cardiac arrest.
The Legacy and the Controversy
Ray Vitte’s death was a shock to his family, friends, and fans. He was remembered as a talented and charismatic actor who had a bright future ahead of him. He left behind a daughter from his first marriage and a son from his second marriage.
However, his death also raised questions about the use of force by the police and the treatment of people with mental health issues. Some people speculated that Vitte may have been suffering from a sickle cell crisis, a severe episode of pain caused by blocked blood vessels due to sickle-shaped cells. They argued that he needed medical attention rather than physical confrontation. They also wondered if racial bias played a role in how the police handled the situation.
The Los Angeles Police Department defended its actions and said that the officers acted appropriately given the circumstances. They said that Vitte was violent and resisted their attempts to help him. They also said that they were unaware of his medical condition until after his death.
The case was never officially investigated or resolved. It remains one of the many tragic examples of how sickle cell disease can affect not only one’s health but also one’s life.
