James Gandolfini died of a heart attack, autopsy confirms

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James Gandolfini at the L.A. premiere of Nickelodeon’s “Nicky Deuce.” (Richard Shotwell / Invision/AP)

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Edie Falco and James Gandolfini celebrate after “The Sopranos” won the 2004 Emmy for drama series. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Actor James Gandolfini at the premiere of FX Networks “Damages.” (Peter Kramer / Associated Press)

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James Gandolfini joins cast members and producers of “God of Carnage” as they celebrate their best play Tony Award in 2009. (Seth Wenig / Associated Press)

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Hope Davis, Jeff Daniels and James Gandolfini in a scene from the play “God of Carnage” at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

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Actor James Gandolfini at the Roxy. He plays a supporting role in the film “Not Fade Away,” written and directed by David Chase. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Michael Imperioli, left, Steve Schirripa and James Gandolfini at the L.A. premiere of “Nicky Deuce.” (Richard Shotwell / Invision/AP)

By Meredith Blake

June 21, 2013 8:02 AM PT

An autopsy has confirmed that James Gandolfini, acclaimed star of “The Sopranos,” died of a heart attack.

“Today we received the results of the autopsy, which stated he died of a heart attack, of natural causes,” family spokesperson Michael Kobold told reporters Friday in Rome, adding that “nothing else was found in his system.”

On Thursday, Dr. Claudio Modini, head of the emergency department at the Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome, attributed the actor’s death to cardiac arrest, although the exact cause for it was not immediately known.

PHOTOS: Gandolfini’s career highlights

In accordance with Italian law, the autopsy was conducted Thursday, 24 hours after his death Wednesday night at the age of 51.

In his statement, Kobold also briefly elaborated on Gandolfini’s final hours, during which he visited the Vatican and dined with his family at the Boscolo Exedra Hotel while awaiting the arrival of his sister.

“He had a wonderful day,” Kobold said. “We are all devastated by this loss. James was a devoted husband, a loving father of two children, a brother and cousin you could always count on. We thank you for the privacy you have afforded us during this difficult time.”

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