The cause of death of 80s video vixen Tawny Kitaen has been announced by the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Kitaen famously appeared in music videos for glam metal icons Whitesnake and on multiple Ratt album covers.
A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff's Department said that Kitaen died from dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle. It was ruled a natural death.
The spokesperson noted other significant conditions included mild coronary atherosclerosis (clogged arteries); mirtazapine (antidepressant), mirtazapine metabolite, alprazolam (Xanax), acetaminophen (Tylenol), pregabalin (nerve pain medication) and hydrocodone (opioid).
Kitaen died in her home in Newport Beach on Friday morning, May 7, 2021, but a cause of death has not yet been announced.
Kitaen's introduction into the rock world came by appearing on the cover of two albums from icons Ratt, as she was dating guitarist Robbin Crosby at the time. The two met after high school and moved to LA together to "make it." She appeared on the cover of their 1983 self-titled EP and their debut album, Out of the Cellar.
Kitaen began modeling and eventually acting. She appeared in several videos for Whitesnake, including "Here I Go Again", "Still of the Night", "Is This Love," and "The Deeper the Love".
Kitaen has appeared on shows like Seinfeld, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. She's also appeared in the movie Bachelor Party.
