Tyler Lambert, Son of Dana Plato, Commits Suicide

By PopEater Staff Posted May 12th 2010 12:24PM

Tyler Lambert, Son of 'Diff'rent Strokes' Suicidal Star, Takes Life

Tyler Lambert, son of 'Diff'rent Strokes' star Dana Plato, committed suicide on May 6, almost exactly 11 years after his mother ended her life. Lambert was 25.

The Tulsa, Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner told PopEater that Lambert (pictured above in 1999) died from a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. Toxicology tests are pending. Though the office had no more information at this time, the National Enquirer alleges Lambert suffered depression surrounding the anniversary of his mother's death and descended into a drug binge prior to his suicide.

"It's a shame that such a talented human being would do this with his life," his grandmother Joni Richardson tells PEOPLE. "He had all the opportunities in the world and we just can't understand it."

In reports from a not-yet-online National Enquirer piece, Lambert's grandmother said, "Tyler wanted to be with his mother. His father Lanny (Lambert, Plato's ex-husband) is devastated."

Dana Plato committed suicide with prescription pills on May 8, 1999. She was 36 years old. In 2006, a 21-year-old Lambert filed a $20,000 wrongful death lawsuit against Plato's former fiance, claiming he contributed to Plato's death by "not giving immediate medical assistance or contacting medical personnel," according to court documents.

Tags: Dana Plato, Tyler Lambert

Comments

(229)

Wednesday 12 May

By GREG

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Your a very smart person NOT !

By BILL

Dumb run"s in your family.

By TROY

At what age did you lose your smart brain cell"s , Age 5 ?

By Melissa

Flickkin1 YOU LOOOOOOSSSERRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Go Away!!!!

Friday 14 May

By MR TAYLOR

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There is noting harder to get over then the death of someone in your family from taking there own life.. I have been there and you always ask yourself what could I have done. Even if there is nothing you could have done the question always lingers " What could I have done". The person who takes their own life lays a horrible guilt trip on the people left behind., God bless everyone involved,. damn so sad.

By cjygudwin

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I find that most chronically depressed adults have zero interest in getting better. They always find excuses to reject all possible avenues of help and tell you this or that won't work. Then they have an excuse to eat to extreme obesity, abuse opiates or benzodiazepines, or drink excessively. They have no interest in accountability and are always eager to blame abuse from decades ago on their current lousy behavior.

Tuesday 25 May

By Eedeyot

Yep. You've pretty much captured the symptoms of depression. The million dollar question is how you end that cycle of thinking. Yell at them to snap out of it?

By shay

It's not a matter of not caring enough to get better, it's the inability to make that rational decision. They need help. I hope you never work for a suicide prevention hotline.

By Xondra

Shay - I couldn't have said it better myself. Someone who is experiencing behavioral health issues is usually not in any position to make rational decisions. Well put!

By yvette

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Cjygudwin, so what's your "excuse" for being an a-hole? Obviously you have zero interest in getting better and I'm sure you reject all possible avenues of help. See, it's tough to have an illness for which there is no true cure.

By Linda

What a sad situation. My prayers are with his Father and his family. To you people that think it's selfish and there's help to be found you do not have an understanding the mind set of a depressed , lost soul. Also finding help isn't as easy as you think!!

By Katie

You sink into a deep dark place where nothing or anybody can reach you.

By ckennedy1963

Yes this is a very sad act and a selfish one at that. I suffer depression and have tried suicide, but still here. I lost my best friend and confident which is my mom almost 2 years ago. I was her protector, I still love her and miss her but I do break out her letters,cards, etc. Has anyone ever thought about what mess is left behind with suicides? Or for the fact who finds you? Not to mention suicides don't always work no matter the case. Think on brain damage and worse than that. So, people get the help no matter what is happening. Please get the help!!! Life is short, death is permanent, no matter the religion.

Hasn't it dawned on you that maybe consideration for loved ones is the only thing keeping many suicidal people from doing the deed?

Thursday 13 May

By Jim Brickman

Russian doctors have developed a very interesting solution for chronic depression (a very serious problem in that country).

The take the depressed people and flog them. No really, exactly that. The pain and misery of the flogging causes a re-adjustment of endorphin levels that alleviates depression.

Often people blame depression on outside events (losing job, etc) and of course these are big challenges, but it's really an internal (ie, chemical) problem that causes depression. The key is to understand that life is always going to be challenging. For the billions in this world who face daily starvation, they would be delighted to have even one tenth of the lifestyle that Americans (even the unemployed ones) are handed daily.

I faced horrible depression for many years and finally found ways to manage it, primarily by challenging myself physically and working with people less fortunate than myself. It really did work.

By Kim

"almost exactly". Who hired this writer?

By Nancy

Depression related to grief and loss is situational. A true clinical depression, unknown etiology, responds only to medication even moreso than therapy. His was situational. What a sad thing as time would have lessened the grief.

It is not a selfish act, suicide, it is an option for us all, is it not? It is not cowardly. It is bravery if you really take the time to think about it. It is just not the BEST option nor should it be the first one either.

By henry

just terrible.... praying for them all.... my God or yours!

Nevermind Tiger and Jesse, Costner has them all beat with his history of a 16 year sexual relationship with John Abner which also produced 3 adopted children. Yet, it is only mentioned that he has 7, when, in actuality, he has ten children. I wonder where those three are now. And, how can any woman stand to be with him even in a movie! Oh, and he referred to it as a try; 16 years is not a try. It is longer than many marriages.

By Joanie

Where have I been??? I've never heard anything about Costner in relationship with a man.....three adopted children??? Tell us more.

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