Actor Buddy Duress tragically passed away on November 20, 2023, at the age of 38, revealing a shocking lawsuit filed just days before his death.
In court documents obtained by The U.S. Sun, Buddy filed a civil complaint against The City of New York, the New York City Department of Correction, and Deputy Correction Officers Jane Doe and/or John Doe.
The lawsuit alleged that Buddy was brutally attacked by five to six known gang members while he was an inmate at Rikers Island Correctional Facility.
According to Buddy’s brother, Christopher Stathis, the actor’s death came after a turbulent period where he was “out of control,” staying up for days, drinking, and taking a variety of drugs. The cause of death, identified as a “cocktail of drugs that led to cardiac arrest,” is still pending further testing.
The lawsuit claimed that the defendants allowed gang members to control the facility where Buddy was housed, failing to prevent or stop the attack. It further alleged that the defendants acted negligently and breached their duty to protect him from harm, resulting in severe injuries and trauma. The defendants responded by denying many of Buddy’s claims and demanding the court dismiss the complaint.
Buddy, known for his role in the movie Good Time, faced legal issues in the last few years of his life, spending time in prison and facing charges related to theft and drug possession. His troubled past, coupled with the circumstances surrounding his death, shed light on the challenges he faced both on and off the screen.
