show ad

Is this world's saddest animal? Tragic photos show plight of lonely polar bear as it struggles to cope with 40C heat in Argentine zoo
Horror as teen dies after dancing on the top floor of a double-decker bus is struck by an overpass during a friend's birthday party
Two cops forced to step down amid allegations they're KKK members five years after officer from the same Florida force was pictured in a pointy hood and robe
Onlookers stunned as plane with SWASTIKA advert flies over New York beaches
'I'm going to be famous!': Rookie Jersey City cop gunned down by violent man implicated in previous murder
Was Jack the Ripper a WOMAN Salvation Army worker who turned serial killer to save the East End?
Pope Francis says one in 50 Roman Catholic priests are paedophiles in interview with Italian newspaper
'He was afraid for his life in that house and the police made him go back': Heartbroken sister hits out at authorities after brother, 15, is shot dead by their mother who then torched family home in murder-suicide
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy hit by new corruption scandal after 'being recorded offering to meet Prince Albert of Monaco to set up plum job for judge'
The beginning of the end for Atlantic City? Trump Plaza casino set to close meaning city risks losing a THIRD of its gambling businesses in nine months
Outrage as ‘Dr Death’ offers euthanasia tours of 'inspiring' Auschwitz: Claims the visit will ‘clarify confusion’ about dying
Colorado man diagnosed with the PLAGUE after family dog drops dead from the disease
My mommy never cared for me: Drunk, depressed - and a terrifying monster of a mother, the only child of Nina Simone gives a painful account of life with the singer
It's not our fault it's YOURS! Busy NYC restaurants says service time has doubled in the past ten years because customers are too busy with their cell phones
Star of reality TV show Cake Boss at center of dramatic boat rescue after he got lost navigating New York harbor in heavy fog
TSA is allowing illegal immigrants to fly on passenger jets with just a piece of paper and no photo ID, border council claims
Teen members of feared MS-13 gang who admitted to torture and murder among child immigrants at border center and 'are trying to recruit others'
Woman, 36, who had sex with 12-year-old she groomed over Facebook is jailed for 10 years after boy's mother finds her lewd messages
Argentina fans take over the Copacabana ahead of World Cup final showdown against Germany in Rio
The teens' guide to good manners: Always split the bill, don't eat fish at parties, and never insult someone's dog
Tracy Morgan released home from rehabilitation as he sues Wal-Mart for negligence over deadly auto collision
A kiss for the miracle baby: Two-month-old boy who was entombed in rubble in Syria for 16 hours is freed
Social media speak: The 60 new abbreviations that are dominating the way young people communicate with one another
Bride paralyzed at her bachelorette party hits back at online trolls criticizing her plans for motherhood: Brave campaigner taunted by cruel posts claiming she won't be able to care for child delivered by surrogate

Harry Potter werewolf star Dave Legeno dies of heat stroke aged 50 while hiking in Death Valley

Published: 11:48 EST, 11 July 2014 | Updated: 12:33 EST, 12 July 2014

View
comments

Harry Potter villain Dave Legeno has died aged 50 while hiking in Death Valley in California.

The actor, who portrayed werewolf Fenrir Greyback in three movies in the wizard film franchise, was found by two hikers in the area on Sunday.

Authorities said Dave died of heat stroke, after an autopsy was performed by the Inyo County Coroner.

Scroll down for video

Passed away: Harry Potter villain Dave Legeno has died of heat stroke aged 50 while hiking in Death Valley in California

What's more, it is thought his body may have been there for three or four days before he was found.

Temperatures in Death Valley are known to reach more than 120 degrees.

County Deputy Coroner Jason Molinar says Legeno's body was partially decomposed and may have been lying for days in triple-digit heat. There was no sign of foul play.

The Mixed Martial Arts star leaves behind a daughter Wendy who is believed to be in her 20s.

Alter-ego: The actor portrayed werewolf Fenrir Greyback in three movies in the wizard film franchise

Archive: Dave Legeno as Harry Potter's Fenrir Greyback

He played the werewolf in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as well as the final two movies in the film franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

Dave's other film credits included 2000 movie Snatch, in which he started as John opposite Brad Pitt and Vinnie Jones.

He is said to have had interests ranging from poetry to playing the guitar and reading.

Fitness fan: The Inyo County Sheriff's Department in California told TMZ that Dave could well have died of heat-related issues

Dave - who turned 50 in October last year - also appeared as Gilles Rigaut in TV series Spooks as well as a League of Shadows member in Batman Begins alongside Christian Bale in 2005.

Several stars took to Twitter to pay tribute to him include Rise Of The Footsoldier actor Mark Killeen.

He wrote: 'Rip dave legeno a legend and a dear friend xxx (sic)'

MailOnline has contacted a representative of Dave Legeno for further comment.

Terrible news: The Mixed Martial Arts star leaves behind a daughter Wendy who is believed to be in her 20s

Death Valley: Legeno was found by two hikers in the area. He could well have died of heat-related issues, according Inyo County Sheriff's Dept in California

Dave Legeno Dead -- 'Harry Potter' Actor Dies While Hiking in Death Valley

MOST WATCHED NEWS VIDEOS

Comments (90)

Share what you think

View all

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

hmm2289, Fullerton, United States, 1 day ago

This is tragic news. He was a talented man. RIP

177

Click to rate

girlnorth, Ontario, 1 day ago

WHY do people insist on going 'hiking' alone? Why?

303

Click to rate

Geek3, London, United Kingdom, 1 day ago

He made a great villain in the films (which I am a massive fan of) Rest in peace.

132

Click to rate

rebecca.d, West Bromwich, United Kingdom, 1 day ago

He played one of my favourite characters in Harry Potter. How sad, as he was still so young, and for the incident to be so tragic. I hope his family are ok.

116

Click to rate

bannie, Bakersfield, 1 day ago

NEVER go into Death Valley alone. NEVER go into Death Valley unprepared. It's so sad that he was unaware of this.

328

Click to rate

Terry the POM, Sydney, Australia, 1 day ago

He didn't go up there to die....He went up there to live...

130

Click to rate

Jeffrey Boadi, London, United Kingdom, 1 day ago

This is the first time I've genuinely been quite sad about the passing of someone who I have no connection to. I'm a huge fan of British films and always had an affection to the way he came across on screen, most notably in Rise Of The Footsoldier, Bonded By Blood and 44 Inch Chest. Really sad to see him go, absolutely tragic.

162

Click to rate

me., West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, 1 day ago

Rest in peace..

159

Click to rate

Wandering Pilgrim, Up North, United Kingdom, 1 day ago

RIP Dave Legeno. The temperature catches many people out that venture in the desert. Even tough guys like former UFC fighter, Evan Tanner, have paid the price.

188

Click to rate