Actor commits suicide

Wednesday, July 12, 2000 | 10:51 a.m.

Television and movie actor Justin Pierce hanged himself in a Bellagio hotel room, police said, an event similar to last year's suicide of television actor David Strickland.

Pierce, 25, of Los Angeles was found dead in a room by Bellagio workers Monday afternoon after he failed to check out, said Lt. Wayne Petersen of Metro Police's homicide unit.

The Clark County coroner's office ruled Pierce's death was caused by hanging and was a suicide.

Pierce, who had been seen earlier Monday, apparently hanged himself with an article of his clothing, Petersen said.

Pierce has appeared in a dozen television movies and films since 1995 including "Next Friday" and "BlackMale," and two episodes of the television show "Malcolm in the Middle."

In March 1999 Strickland, an actor on the television show "Suddenly Susan," was found in a room of the Oasis Motel hanging from a bedsheet. His death was ruled a suicide.

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