How Did Angus Cloud Die? Revisiting the ‘Euphoria’ Star’s Final Days

Angus Cloud’s impact is still felt two years after his untimely death. 

The actor who rose to fame on HBO’s Euphoria died of an accidental overdose on July 31, 2023. Cloud — born Conor Angus Cloud Hickey — was only 25 at the time of his death, and had previous struggles with substance abuse.

When he was 15, he fell into a construction pit and broke his skull, resulting in minor brain damage. Following surgery, he was prescribed pain medication, which triggered a lifelong struggle.

But despite that, his mother, Lisa Cloud, said she knew “something special was in store” for him. Cloud achieved overnight fame after Euphoria’s casting director, Eléonore Hendricks, discovered him on the street in Manhattan. His character was supposed to die at the end of the first season, but creator Sam Levinson kept him on because he loved the actor “so f—ing much.” 

“He went out at his total power, his total beauty, his total influence, and the reaction that everyone has had is very moving to me,” Lisa told PEOPLE in September 2023. “You know, he’s not just an actor who overdosed. He was a beautiful soul, and that’s why people miss him so much.”

So, how did Angus Cloud die? Here’s everything to know about the actor’s death and how he spent his final days. 

When did Angus Cloud die?

Cloud died on July 31, 2023. Oakland Fire Department Chief of Staff Michael Hunt told PEOPLE that they were dispatched to a residence around 11:30 a.m. for a “medical emergency.” But after they arrived, “the patient was determined to be already deceased.”

The Euphoria star’s death came one week after he spread his father’s ashes in Ireland with his family. Conor Hickey died that May from mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer he had been diagnosed with only three months prior.

“It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today,” the actor’s family said in a statement. “As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways.”

The statement continued, “The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence. We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone.” 

How did Angus Cloud die?

Almost two months after he died, the Alameda County Coroner confirmed that Cloud’s cause of death was acute intoxication following an accidental overdose. At the time of his death, he had cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and benzodiazepines in his system.

Though his family noted that Cloud had “intensely struggled” with the recent loss of his father, his mother said that her son’s death wasn’t “intentional” and that “his last day was a joyful one.” 

“He was reorganizing his room and placing items around the house with intent to stay a while in the home he loved,” Lisa wrote in a post on Facebook. “He spoke of his intent to help provide for his sisters at college, and also help his mom emotionally and financially. He did not intend to end his life.”

She continued, “When we hugged goodnight we said how much we loved each other and he said he would see me in the morning. I don’t know if or what he may have put in his body after that. I only know that he put his head on the desk where he was working on art project’s, fell asleep and didn’t wake up.” 

Where did Angus Cloud die?

Cloud died at his family’s home in Oakland, Calif. In her September 2023 interview with PEOPLE, his mom said that he had been drawing since the third grade and covered his room with art and graffiti. 

Though the actor often fell asleep at his desk while creating art, Lisa quickly realized that something was wrong. She tried to resuscitate him and “kept at it until they took him away.”

“I miss him so much,” his mother said. “He was the love of my life.”

What were Angus Cloud’s last words? 

Lisa told PEOPLE that the night her son died, he hugged her before she went to bed and told her goodnight. According to her, the artist’s final words to her were, “I love you, mama. You’re the best. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Later that night, Cloud went out with his friend Daniel Aguilera to spray paint a memorial for another friend who had died from a fentanyl overdose six years ago. They returned home around 4 a.m., and Aguilera said that Cloud “wasn’t messed up or anything” when they were together. 

“Conor really wanted to honor him that night,” Aguilera said of the memorial they painted. “It meant a lot to him. I got to spend the last night of his life with him creating artwork.”

What were Angus Cloud’s last roles?

Though he was best known for his breakout role as Fezco, a drug dealer, on Euphoria, Cloud had filmed other projects before his death. He appeared in the 2024 action comedy Freaky Tales alongside Pedro Pascal and lent his voice to the role of Snickers in the 2024 animated feature The Garfield Movie. 

His final on-screen appearance was in the horror film Abigail, where he played a would-be criminal who kidnaps a wealthy man’s daughter for ransom — not realizing that she’s a vampire. The film’s directors told Variety in April 2024 that it was “so evident” how much fun Cloud had with the role. 

“There’s not a false moment in anything that he does,” Tyler Gillet told the outlet. “He kind of gave everyone permission to be a little weird and take some swings that maybe they wouldn’t have otherwise, just because of how natural and charismatic he is in a scene.”

What was the public’s reaction to Angus Cloud’s death? 

News of Cloud’s death shocked and saddened fans of his breakout show. A spokesperson for HBO described him as “a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family,” and many of his costars shared tributes to the star online. 

Days after his death, Euphoria lead Zendaya visited a black-and-white mural dedicated to Cloud, with messages from fans written across it. 

“Words are not enough to describe the infinite beauty that is Angus (Conor),” the actress wrote in a separate Instagram post following his death. “I’m so grateful I got the chance to know him in this life, to call him a brother, to see his warm kind eyes and bright smile, or hear his infectious cackle of a laugh (I’m smiling now just thinking of it).”  

Zendaya continued, “I know people use this expression often when talking about folks they love…‘they could light up any room they entered’ but boy let me tell you, he was the best at it. I’d like to remember him that way. For all of the boundless light, love and joy he always managed to give us. I’ll cherish every moment.” 

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.