Terminator star died agonising 'lingering' death after horrific home accident

Best known for his roles as navigator Pavel Chekov in the Star Trek franchise reboot and Kyle Reese in Terminator Salvation, up and coming actor Anton Yelchin’s future in Hollywood was looking very bright indeed. However the young star’s life was tragically cut short at just 27 years old when he was involved in an horrific car accident.

Confirming the news of his death to the Mirror in 2016, his publicist Jennifer Allen said in a statement: "Actor Anton Yelchin was killed in a fatal traffic collision early this morning. His family requests you respect their privacy at this time."

The much-loved actor, who had starred in TV shows such as NYPD, ER and Curb Your Enthusiasm, was expected at a rehearsal at 11pm on the Saturday night but failed to turn up.

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His worried friends discovered him in the early hours of 19 June 2016 dead outside his San Fernando Valley home. He was pinned between his car and a security fence. Pictures from the scene showed the bent bars of the metal gate.

It’s thought after leaving his home he had got out of his Jeep Cherokee to check his locked gate for mail and the vehicle rolled backwards down the steep driveway, trapping him. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office identified the cause of death as 'blunt traumatic asphyxia'.

His heartbroken co-star Zachary Quinto, who played Spock in the Star Trek films, wrote a tribute at the time. It read: "Our dear friend. Our comrade. Our Anton. One of the most open and intellectually curious people I have ever had the pleasure to know. So enormously talented and generous of heart. Wise beyond his years. And gone before his time. All love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief."

Star Trek director JJ Abrams also penned a heartfelt tribute. "You were brilliant. You were kind. You were funny as hell, and supremely talented. And you weren't here nearly long enough. Missing you... JJ."

A lawsuit later stated: "Anton Yelchin was crushed and lingered alive for some time, trapped and suffocating until his death." The manufacturer of the Grand Cherokee was reportedly aware certain models had problems with 'rollaway' incidents, with drivers being unsure if they were parked or in gear. At the time of Anton's death, the roll away problem had been tied to at least 68 injuries, 266 crashes and 308 reports of property damage. Unfortunately a software patch didn’t reach dealers until after his accident.

Fiat Chrysler and his family eventually reached an out of court settlement, with the manufacturer saying it was "pleased" to have reached an "amicable resolution" in the matter. The car company also extended its "deepest sympathies" to the Yelchin family for their tragic loss.

Born in Russia, Anton emigrated to the USA with his parents, celebrated Russian figure skaters Victor and Irina Yelchin, at six months old. He had a love for TV and movies from a young age and in 2001, at just 11 years old, he landed a role in Hearts in Atlantis opposite Sir Antony Hopkins. He found early success in Indie films before landing his parts in Star Trek and Terminator.

After his death, in 2019 Love Antosha - a film about Anton’s life was released. It features personal footage, archives, letters and interviews with leading Hollywood stars who knew him, such as Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Anya Taylor-Joy, Willem Dafoe and Simon Pegg.

The film also revealed he was secretly suffering with the chronic and inherited illness cystic fibrosis. The genetic condition causes damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs and shortens life expectancy.

Love Antosha’s director Garret Price told Fox News: "The first thing that surprised me was his chronic illness, which he was secretly dealing with throughout his career. And that in itself was totally admirable. No one knew about it. Even some of his closest friends didn't know about it until he passed away."

Anton’s parents remain committed to preserving his legacy. They chose the Hollywood Forever Cemetery where industry greats such as Rudolph Valentino, Judy Garland and John Huston were laid to rest as his final resting place. They erected a life-size bronze figure of the young star and are seen nearly every day at his grave. "I’ve never encountered a vigil like theirs," co-owner Tyler Cassity told Variety for its profile on the cemetery.