Paul Walker's final pictures: Smiling actor photographed in friend's Porsche just moments before they were killed in fiery crash

  • Actor pictured leaving charity fundraiser in Santa Clarita on November 30 - just moments before his friend's car hit a pole and burst into flames
  • He was killed by his injuries from both the crash and the fire
  • The driver and his friend, Roger Rodas, died before the car exploded
  • Walker's body was removed from the coroner's office on Monday and taken to a mortuary - his family will now decide when to lay him to rest

By Lydia Warren

PUBLISHED: 12:21 EST, 10 December 2013 | UPDATED: 14:53 EST, 10 December 2013

Images have emerged showing Paul Walker smiling in the passenger seat of his friend's Porsche just moments before they smashed into a post and perished in a fiery crash.

The 40-year-old actor was photographed leaving a charity fundraiser in Santa Clarita, California on November 30 with the window of the bright red Porsche Carerra GT rolled down.

But just moments after leaving for the short ride with his friend and financial adviser, Roger Rodas, the vehicle crashed into a pole and tree before coming to a stop.

Less than a minute later, the vehicle burst into flames - killing the beloved actor.

Final moments: Actor Paul Walker is pictured for the last time on November 30 before this Porsche Carerra GT smashed into a pole and burst into flames, killing him and the driver - his friend Roger Rodas

Final moments: Actor Paul Walker is pictured for the last time on November 30 before this Porsche Carerra GT smashed into a pole and burst into flames, killing him and the driver - his friend Roger Rodas

The images are believed to be the final time Walker was pictured before his death. Rodas, who was driving, also died in the crash.

They emerged the day after Walker's remains were removed from the L.A. County Coroner's Office and taken to a local mortuary.

TMZ reported that his body is now in the hands of his family, who will decide when and where to lay him to rest.

 

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Authorities say speed had been a factor in the crash and toxicology test results are still pending. They could take as long as six weeks.

An autopsy concluded that Walker was killed by injuries from both the impact and the subsequent fire, and dispatch recordings revealed that firefighters noted he was 'DOA' when they got there.

Rodas, 38, died from ‘multiple traumatic injuries’ before the car exploded in flames, according to the autopsy released by the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

Heading off: He and Rodas left a fundraising event in Santa Clarita for a short drive before the crash

Heading off: He and Rodas left a fundraising event in Santa Clarita for a short drive before the crash

Having fun: The friends, who had bonded over their love of cars, smile as they chat in the Porsche

Having fun: The friends, who had bonded over their love of cars, smile as they chat in the Porsche

Short ride: The pair were only heading out for a short ride after leaving the event in Santa Clarita

Short ride: The pair were only heading out for a short ride after leaving the event in Santa Clarita

Leaving: The car can be seen leaving the event, just moments before the two men were killed

Leaving: The supercar can be seen leaving the event, just moments before the two men were killed

The pair had bonded over a passion for fast cars.

They co-owned an auto racing team named after Rodas' custom car shop, Always Evolving, and Rodas drove professionally for the team on the Pirelli World Challenge circuit this year.

Ahead of the crash, Walker was in Santa Clarita for a fundraiser his charity, Reach Out Worldwide, organized for victims of the recent Philippines typhoon.

The event took place at Rodas' shop, and two stepped away for what was supposed to be a short drive in Rodas' car.

The limited-edition Porsche was previously owned by IndyCar driver Graham Rahal, who has said it could be difficult to drive.

Walker, the star of five of the six 'Fast & Furious' movies, was the face of the franchise and he was making the seventh film in the series when he died.

Destroyed: Just moments later, it smashed into a pole and after less than a minute, it burst into flames

Destroyed: Just moments later, it smashed into a pole and after less than a minute, it burst into flames

Heartbreaking: Friends were unable to save Walker. The car is pictured still burning as firefighters arrive

Heartbreaking: Friends were unable to save Walker. The car is pictured still burning as firefighters arrive

Wreck: Witnesses walk away from the tragic scene. Walker was killed by his injuries and by the fire

Wreck: Witnesses walk away from the tragic scene. Walker was killed by his injuries and by the fire

Universal Pictures has shut down production while it contemplates how it might go forward without him.

On Sunday, fans gathered near to the crash site for a massive memorial, which had been planned through social media, for the actor.

Thousands came to pay their respects, placing flowers, candles and other tributes at the scene.

Many arrived in cars built for speed, and the sounds of engines revving echoed close to where Walker and his friend died in the crash.

The memorial also coincided with news that the actor had planned to give up his life as a Hollywood actor to spend more time with his 15-year-old daughter, Meadow.

Meadow had recently moved from her home in Hawaii to live with Walker in Santa Barbara.

In an interview earlier this year, Walker described his daughter as 'the best partner I've ever had'.

Paul Walker
Roger Rodas

Loss: Walker, left, perished alongside his friend and financial adviser, Roger Rodas, right, who was driving

Loved: Fans gathered for an unofficial memorial event at the crash scene in Santa Clarita on Sunday

Loved: Fans gathered for an unofficial memorial event at the crash scene in Santa Clarita on Sunday

Memories: Loud cars were driven past a crowd attending the memorial on Sunday for Paul Walker

Memories: Loud cars were driven past a crowd attending the memorial on Sunday for Paul Walker

'I've never had anything like this in my life,' he said. 'I've been so transient; I've been on my own since I was 16. There's a part of me who feels like I'm making up for lost time.'

According to two of Walker's closest friends, Walker believed he had accomplished all that he wanted from Hollywood and now believed he needed to devote himself to his daughter.

'He was a family man and I know it hurt him to be spending so much time away from Meadow on location; he loved being with his daughter, she was his world,' Ronn Shikari told The Mail Online.

'That’s why he wanted to retire from acting and talked to his family about it, as he’d achieved everything he wanted to achieve.

‘He earned millions from the last Fast and Furious. The big reason he wanted to quit acting was so that he could spend more time with Meadow. It’s a shame that it could never happen.’

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I feel uneasy with all this coverage...it's sad he died (for his family and friends) but IF the car was speeding, this amount of media coverage is grossly inappropriate and risks glamorising a very serious issue.

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I disagree: it will tell youngsters "think twice before speeding, or else, there's your future too!"

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2 fast 2 funerals

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wow! LOL!

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sorry

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What are you doing in Sweden, "Hassan". Raped any blondes lately?

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why in hell are they still reporting on this the guy is dead im sure if he or you knew he was going to be dead within the next five minute of this photo he wouldnt have been smiling futher more he wouldnt have even got in the car dm give it a break now i find this a bit disrespeful its happean and while i feel sad for him and his family its an awful accident thats happean to many before him and will happean to many after him hell who know how they are going die

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speed kills- fire burns-his will directs his money to the tea party- thanks dude

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If you dont want to hear about it, dont read it! Simple. Walkers fans want to know whats going on and are interested in news about him.

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Such a shame to lose a good actor but more of a shame to lose someone who raised so much money for charity and really cared.

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We have had enough of this so called film star.!!!!!! I had never even heard of him before all the ridiculous reporting started.

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Speak for yourself, dont read the dam article then?

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Why don't you give it a rest and show the guy some respect. We do not want it every day. Now stop.

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Snooooooooooooooze.

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