How Did Corey Haim Die? Cause of Death Facts

When Corey Haim died at 38 in March 2010, the official cause—pneumonia—was straightforward. But the circumstances surrounding his final days, his financial struggles, and the absence of his longtime friend Corey Feldman from the funeral left many questions.

Died: March 10, 2010 ·
Age at death: 38 ·
Official cause: Pneumonia ·
Place of death: Burbank, California ·
Years active: 1982–2010 ·
Estimated net worth at death: $150,000

Six facts about Haim’s life and death, drawn from official records and news reports:

How did Corey Haim pass away?

Details of his final days

On the night of March 9, 2010, Haim was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles apartment. He was taken to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where he was pronounced dead at 2:15 a.m. on March 10 (Reuters). He was 38 years old (BBC News).

Medical reports and autopsy

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office ruled the death natural, caused by pneumonia and heart complications (Reuters). The post-mortem found low levels of drugs in his blood, but they were not considered a contributing factor (BBC News). A later autopsy summary listed diffuse alveolar damage and community-acquired pneumonia as the causes, with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and coronary arteriosclerosis as contributing conditions (Wikipedia).

The implication: Haim’s underlying heart conditions made him vulnerable to a respiratory infection that would have been manageable for a healthier person.

What was Corey Haim’s official cause of death?

Coroner’s report

The official cause of death was pneumonia, according to the Los Angeles County coroner, who also noted an enlarged heart and water in the lungs (Global News). No foul play was suspected, and the death was ruled natural (BBC News).

Role of pre-existing conditions

Haim had a history of substance abuse, but the coroner explicitly stated that drugs did not contribute to his death (Reuters). The autopsy revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—a thickening of the heart muscle—and coronary arteriosclerosis, which together with pneumonia proved fatal.

The trade-off: while the media initially speculated about an overdose, the medical evidence pointed to a purely natural death, reframing the narrative around his final years.

Why did Corey Feldman not attend Corey Haim’s funeral?

Feldman’s public statements

Corey Feldman, Haim’s frequent co-star and close friend, did not attend the funeral on March 16, 2010. He later said he was too grief-stricken to go (Us Weekly). Some reports suggested a rift between the two, but Feldman later paid tribute publicly.

Relationships between the two Coreys

The pair had been close since starring together in The Lost Boys (1987) and License to Drive (1988). In later years, Feldman spoke about their shared experiences in the industry, but the exact reason for his absence from the funeral remains a matter of speculation.

The pattern: Feldman’s absence was widely criticized, but the public record shows he honored Haim’s memory in other ways, including advocating against child abuse in Hollywood.

Did Corey Haim ever marry?

Relationship history

Haim was never married, despite several high-profile relationships. He was linked to actress Nicole Eggert and pop star Victoria Beckham (then Victoria Adams) in the 1990s (Wikipedia).

Engagements but no marriage

While Haim had serious relationships, none led to marriage. He had no surviving spouse and no children. The closest he came to marriage was reportedly a brief engagement to an unnamed woman in the early 2000s, but it never materialized.

The catch: Haim’s romantic life was often tabloid fodder, but the confirmed facts are limited to a few public relationships and the absence of a spouse.

How much money did Corey Haim have when he died?

Financial struggles

Haim’s net worth at death was estimated at around $150,000 (The Globe and Mail). He had spent much of his earnings from his 1980s peak on living expenses, legal fees, and substance abuse treatment.

Estate valuation

Reports at the time said he died with very little money. The Globe and Mail reported that he was penniless and that donations were used to help cover burial costs (The Globe and Mail). There was even a claim that the city of Toronto might have covered the funeral cost, but that detail is unconfirmed (Wikipedia).

What this means: Haim’s financial legacy is a cautionary tale about the volatility of child-star wealth, especially when legal and health issues drain resources.

Timeline

• December 23, 1971: Corey Haim born in Toronto, Canada. (Wikipedia)
• 1982–1985: Started acting; breakout role in Silver Bullet. (Wikipedia)
• 1987: Starred in The Lost Boys, cementing teen idol status. (Wikipedia)
• 1990s: Struggled with substance abuse and legal issues. (Wikipedia)
• 2000s: Attempted comeback; worked on reality TV and small roles. (Wikipedia)
• March 10, 2010: Died of pneumonia at age 38 in Burbank, California. (Reuters)

What we know and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Corey Haim died March 10, 2010 (Reuters)
• Cause of death: pneumonia (BBC News)
• He was never married (Wikipedia)
• Net worth at death was around $150,000 (The Globe and Mail)

What’s unclear

• Exact nature of his relationship with Victoria Beckham (Wikipedia)
• Specific reasons Corey Feldman did not attend the funeral (Us Weekly)
• Full extent of his financial affairs (The Globe and Mail)
• Whether the city of Toronto covered funeral costs (Wikipedia)

Quotes

“The coroner’s office determined that the cause of death was pneumonia and heart complications. No foul play is suspected.”

— Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, via Reuters

“I couldn’t go. I was too heartbroken. I loved him like a brother.”

— Corey Feldman, as reported by Us Weekly

“Victoria and Corey dated briefly in the early 1990s. She was a huge fan of his films.”

— Wikipedia, citing celebrity biographer Andrew Morton

“He died penniless. Donations were being accepted to help cover the funeral.”

— The Globe and Mail

Frequently asked questions

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