Days of Our Lives star Patrick Muldoon's horrific final moments: 'Devastating' scene in bathroom that left family collapsing in anguish... and why ex Denise Richards 'can't stop crying'

Patrick Muldoon's heartbroken sister has revealed the actor's tragic final moments before his sudden death at age 57.

The Days of Our Lives star succumbed to an apparent heart attack at his Beverly Hills home on Sunday and was found unconscious by his glamorous producer girlfriend, Miriam Rothbart.

The actor's sister, 48-year-old Shana Muldoon Zappa, told the Daily Mail in a tearful exclusive interview that it had started out like any other Sunday.

'He had just had a normal morning coffee with his dear girlfriend at their home. Then he went into the bathroom [to take a shower] while she was on the phone,' Muldoon Zappa said.

'And she just thought it seemed [like he'd been in there] a little long - it was probably 10 minutes. So she went in and he was on the floor not breathing. 

'She called 911 and she was trying to bring him back, then the paramedics got there. My parents were at our house because we're all in LA and we all ran over there. But by the time we got there, he was gone.

'We have videos the night before he was sending us from when his girlfriend and him were at the beautiful new LACMA [Los Angeles County Museum of Art] event and he was happy as can be. It's just a shock.'

Muldoon Zappa said that in the family's desperate scramble to reach her brother, their father fell and injured himself.

'My poor dad ran in the house to see him and fell and fractured his shoulder. I mean, it's just so crazy,' she said, adding that her elderly father is currently in hospital receiving care. 

Muldoon had no known health conditions and, according to his sister, was in peak physical fitness, making his sudden death feel like an 'unbelievable nightmare.'

His sister said: 'He's so healthy. He's an ex-athlete. He goes to jiu-jitsu. He's a martial artist. He runs, he works out.

'It seems like he was in a highlight in his life. And then to just [die] suddenly, it's just unbelievable.

'We just had this beautiful Easter together. I talked to him - he was supposed to have lunch with my husband yesterday.

'It's just all good old high stress of Hollywood and always on the go, certainly. He was supposed to leave for Australia next week and St. Bart's after that. He just was at a really good point in his life.'

She added: 'I just feel like… it's a nightmare and I didn't wake up this morning.'

Muldoon Zappa said her family were told by paramedics that Muldoon died from a sudden heart attack.

'There was no other signs of anything. So the good news is it seems like it was sudden and there was no suffering. He didn't hit his head or anything,' she said.

Friends and co-workers also expressed their shock and sadness over Muldoon's death.

A source close to his ex-girlfriend, actress Denise Richards, told the Daily Mail: 'She's devastated. Really, really sad. I'd even call her inconsolable. She can't stop crying.

'Patrick is the ex that she had the best relationship with. There was a ton of respect on both sides. 

'It was so amicable that they were better friends than lovers and they remained in constant contact. She was his biggest supporter, he was hers.'

Muldoon met Richards, now 55, in acting class when she was 19 and he was 21 and they dated on and off throughout the 1990s.

The former couple stayed close, and Muldoon made his final public appearance at the 2026 Saturn Awards in March, walking the red carpet and posing for photos alongside Richards.

They both star in the upcoming movie Dirty Hands, a new action-thriller scheduled for release this Friday.

The source added: 'They had a long history, somewhat complex, but a good one. She's known him her entire adult life, she was literally a teenager when they met.

'So this is devastating. She wants to know what happens, she wants to support his family, but she thinks of herself as almost family with him. She's just devastated right now.'

Muldoon had been dating girlfriend Miriam Rothbart, a 53-year-old former entertainment lawyer and film producer, since the summer of 2023. His sister described her as 'his life partner' who is also 'devastated' over the news.

He uploaded a sweet post celebrating their two-year anniversary in August. 

Muldoon was described by those closest to him as larger-than-life both professionally and personally - a creative who brought energy to everything he touched.

His sister said: 'Privately, he was the sunshine in every room. He was the life of the party. He thought of everyone other than himself.

'He loved life and he loved people and he loved to make you feel like the most special person in the room. He had a gift. He was such an incredible light. It's unbelievable how he was taken so young.'

Muldoon Zappa said the family has received an outpouring of tributes from and colleagues across decades of his life and career, underscoring the impact her brother had on those around him.

Erik Aude, who will star alongside Muldoon and Richards in Dirty Hands, told the Daily Mail: 'He was great on set, but I also knew him before that. He played poker with me from time to time and attended charity poker tournaments to help support.

'He was a guys' guy. Kind, funny, very easy to get along with. Everyone instantly enjoyed his presence.

'When we filmed Dirty Hands, he did his own stunts, he was healthy, happy, and just wanting to do a good job.

'I will never have anything bad to say about Pat. He was one of the good ones and was taken way way way too early. He will certainly be missed and I was honored to call him a friend.'

Muldoon rose to fame in the 1990s as heartthrob Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives, later starring in cult sci-fi hit Starship Troopers and a string of television roles spanning decades.

Muldoon is survived by his partner Miriam Rothbart and his parents Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr, as well as his brother-in-law Ahmet Zappa, and their children Halo and Arrow Zappa.

A spokesperson for Days of Our Lives said: 'The Days of our Lives family is saddened by the news of Patrick's untimely passing. 

'As the original "Austin Reed," he left an indelible mark in Salem both personally and professionally. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, and he will be missed by all of us.'