Actor Robert Kelker-Kelly died of arteriosclerotic heart disease, examiner confirms

Robert Kelker-Kelly, 62, who appeared on "Days of Our Lives" and other daytime dramas, died on Oct. 3 in St. Charles, Missouri. The Office of the Regional Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death as arteriosclerotic heart disease, a condition caused by the buildup of plaque in arteries.

According to the St. Peters Police Department, Kelker-Kelly complained of chest pain and left-arm discomfort while driving home from Spirit Airport. He asked his wife, Allison Kelly, to pull over so he could vomit, and later declined to go to a hospital, opting to rest at home.

"He continued to experience pain after returning home and asked his wife to bring him aspirin," the police report noted.

When Allison Kelly returned to the bedroom, she found him unresponsive and not breathing. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but Kelker-Kelly was pronounced dead at 9:09 p.m.

Medical experts explain that arteriosclerosis can progress without symptoms until it significantly narrows a major artery, potentially leading to chest pain, heart attacks, or strokes. The actor's death underscores the seriousness of the condition.

Kelker-Kelly's career included roles as Bo Brady on "Days of Our Lives" (1992-1995), Dr. Shane Roberts on "Another World," and Stavros Cassadine on "General Hospital" and "Port Charles." His final onscreen appearance was on "General Hospital" in 2014.