Jessica Barrymore, half sister of Drew Barrymore and granddaughter of legendary actor John Barrymore, was found dead in San Diego on Tuesday of a possible drug overdose. She was found laying lifeless, reclined in the front seat of her car “with a SoBe soft drink between her legs” and “dozens of white pills… scattered around on the passenger seat beside her,” according to the neighbor who found her body. The neighbor, identified as Marta Lopez, was trying to leave for work at 6am when she noticed Barrymore’s car was obstructing her driveway. Police at the scene reported this to the New York Daily News:
“She appeared to be sleeping in her vehicle, partially blocking a driveway. We went out to check her welfare, and she was cold to the touch, obviously deceased,” National City Police Lt. Robert Rounds told the Daily News.
“She apparently lived out of the area in northern San Diego County, so she was out of place on that block,” he said.
Actress Drew Barrymore released this statement once Jessica’s death went public:
“Although I only met her briefly, I wish her and her loved ones as much peace as possible and I’m so incredibly sorry for their loss.”
It is not apparent whether or not this was an accidental overdose or a suicide. An autopsy was scheduled for today, which will hopefully yield those answers. Jessica Barrymore was two days away from her 48th birthday.