How Did Corey Haim Die? What to Know About the Actor’s Official Cause of Death, 16 Years Later

Corey Haim died on March 10, 2010, after he was found unresponsive

It’s been 16 years since former teen star Corey Haim died at age 38.

Haim got his start in the industry when he was 10 years old with his first commercial, before becoming a regular on the Canadian television series The Edison Twins. He made his big screen debut in 1984’s Firstborn, with a role opposite Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.

Haim’s breakout role happened two years later when he was 14 in the 1986 coming-of-age film Lucas. During the peak of his career in the '80s, Haim starred in several cinema classics, including The Lost Boys and License to Drive alongside fellow teen idols Corey Feldman and Johnny Depp.

While Haim experienced early success, he struggled with drug addiction throughout his life, seeking help at rehab centers. During a 2007 interview with ABC’s Nightline, Haim reflected, "I feel like … I ruined myself to the point where I wasn't functional enough to work for anybody, even myself. I wasn't working. … My brain wasn't working."

More than two decades after the start of his career, Haim tragically died in March 2010. There was speculation after his death that substance abuse was the cause, but an autopsy report refuted those claims.

Here’s what to know about Corey Haim’s death and the legacy he left behind.

When did Corey Haim die?

Haim died March 10, 2010, after he was found unresponsive at his mom’s apartment and was taken to a hospital in Burbank, Calif., where he was later pronounced dead.

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office confirmed the former teen star’s death to PEOPLE. Lt. Cheryl MacWillie shared that Haim was declared dead at 2:15 a.m. at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center located outside of Los Angeles.

At the time of the actor’s death, Police Sgt. Michael Kammert said that there was no evidence of foul play, and L.A. County Coroner Assistant Chief Ed Winter did not give an official cause of death.

How did Corey Haim die?

Haim had experienced flu-like symptoms for several days leading up to his death. L.A. County Coroner Assistant Chief Winter shared details about the events before the actor’s death with PEOPLE in March 2010.

“Some time after midnight, he got up, he was dizzy and unsteady on his feet and knelt down,” Winter explained. “His mom helped him to a bed and he became unresponsive in about a minute or so. She dialed 911 and he was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 2:15 a.m.”

While Winter said that the Los Angeles Police Department believed the actor’s cause of death was a “possible drug overdose,” Haim’s agent, Mark Heaslip, thought otherwise and said his client “was doing really well."

Heaslip explained, “He did struggle with substance abuse, but I’ve repped him for a year-and-a-half and part of my agreement with him was that he had to be clean. That was the number one priority.”

Heaslip continued, saying that when Haim's symptoms began worsening, a doctor made a home visit and commented that, despite having a high temperature, he “actually looked very good.”

Heaslip added that Haim stayed in bed the rest of the day, but the actor told his mom at one point that he wasn’t feeling well. When Haim woke up later, he reportedly had difficulty breathing, though it wasn’t “severe.” His mother thought Haim was just sick and they both fell back asleep.

However, at approximately midnight, the actor’s mom woke up again and saw Haim walking around the apartment before he collapsed.

What was Corey Haim’s cause of death?

Despite speculation that the actor died of an overdose, Haim’s cause of death was pneumonia, per the Los Angeles Times.

An autopsy revealed that the actor died of respiratory distress, tied to pneumonia. He also had the presence of an enlarged heart and narrowing blood vessels.

According to the autopsy report, Haim’s heart was nearly twice the weight of a normal heart, while some blood vessels were as much as 75% blocked.

It was also revealed in the autopsy report that low levels of eight drugs were found in his system, which included both over-the-counter and prescription, and a small amount of marijuana.

However, Deputy Medical Examiner Juan M. Carrillo said in the report that because “the medications did not contribute acutely to his death,” Haim’s “manner of death is natural.”

How old was Corey Haim when he died?

Haim was 38 years old when he died.

How did the public react to Corey Haim’s death?

Feldman, Haim’s longtime costar and friend, penned a touching tribute to the late actor in an essay for Entertainment Weekly. They had shared the screen in several films, including The Lost Boys and Dream a Little Dream, and appeared on the reality series The Two Coreys for two seasons together.

The Stand By Me star said that “nobody made me laugh” the way Haim had.

“About two weeks before he died, he spent a weekend at my house and we had a party with friends,” Feldman wrote at the end of his tribute. “The next morning we were all sitting around in our robes and he gave me his hand and said, ‘I just want to tell you how happy I am that we’re able to have this time together. I can see the world through your eyes now, and it’s pretty f—ing cool.’ "

He added, "I don’t think I’ll ever miss anybody more.”

After Haim’s death, he was remembered by close colleagues, including Troy Searer, an executive producer of The Two Coreys. In March 2010, Searer said that Haim’s "heart and his potential were only outmatched by his demons,” per Today.

Searer shared that he had spoken to the actor six months prior to his death and Haim “seemed incredibly positive." He explained, "He had done a few smaller films and things seemed to be on the upswing for him.”

Notably, Haim was also excluded from the "In Memoriam" montages at both the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011.

What legacy did Corey Haim leave behind?

Haim was best known for his projects during the 1980s, including Sam Emerson in The Lost Boys, Les Anderson in License to Drive, Marty Coslaw Silver Bullet and more iconic roles.

Throughout his extensive career, Haim sought help for his addiction struggles and was open about his journey. By the mid-2000s, Haim starred in the A&E reality series The Two Coreys alongside Feldman, which ran for two seasons.

Haim’s last film roles included Det. Lou Andreas in Decisions and Tom MacLean in The Hostage Game (under the original title, American Sunset).

Today, Feldman continues to remember Haim, including on the anniversary of his death.

"SADLY 16 YRS AGO 2DAY I LOST MY BROTHER, MY BEST FRIEND IN THE WORLD, MY ACTING PARTNER, & MOST IMPORTANTLY THE ONLY GUY WHO KNEW EVERY STORY I HAVE 2 TELL, & THE ONLY GUY WHO MADE ME PROMISE 2 TELL HIS!" Feld wrote on Instagram alongside a signed photo of Haim.

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