In a strange story that is still being pieced together, Sons Of Anarchy actor Johnny Lewis died yesterday, after either falling or jumping from the roof of a Los Angeles home where an 81-year-old woman was found dead of blunt force trauma to the head. Lewis is considered a suspect in her murder.
The undisputed facts so far: Neighbors and a handyman responding to the screams of the murder victim got into a violent confrontation with Lewis, leaving them both badly beaten. Police say Lewis then ran back inside and climbed up on the roof, and by the time they'd arrived on the scene, he was found dead on the driveway.
TMZ quotes other law enforcement sources as saying they believe Lewis may have been on "either PCP or meth" at the time, having reportedly demonstrated "superhuman strength" in his tussle with the men who responded to the victim's screams—first beating them with a 2×4, then using his bare hands. Lewis is also said to have been renting a room from the victim, whom he is accused of beating to death. As of now, Lewis is the only suspect they are considering.
Lewis is perhaps best known for playing Kip "Half-Sack" Epps on Sons Of Anarchy, a prospective member of the motorcycle club who's repeatedly subjected to grunt work and hazing in order to prove himself. (Sons creator Kurt Sutter has already responded to Lewis' death on Twitter, saying, "It was a tragic end for an extremely talented guy, who unfortunately had lost his way. I wish I could say that I was shocked by the events last night, but I was not. I am deeply sorry that an innocent life had to be thrown into his destructive path.")
Prior to appearing on Sons, Lewis had a recurring role as "Chili" on The O.C., and appeared in series such as American Dreams, Smallville, Bones, Boston Public, Malcolm In The Middle, and Criminal Minds. He was also seen in the films Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem and The Runaways, and received a bit of brief tabloid fame for dating Katy Perry. Lewis was 28 at the time of his death.