Bobby J Brown, US actor known for The Wire, dies in barn fire

bobby j brown, 62, died after being trapped in a barn fire at his Maryland home on the evening of 24 February, making him the third cast member of The Wire to die since December.

How the blaze began at his Chaptico property

Brown had gone into a barn at his residence in the St Mary’s county community of Chaptico at about 10 p. m. on 24 February to try to jump-start a car, and the vehicle reportedly ignited during the attempt, the fire marshal’s office said.

Family scramble and firefighters on the scene

He asked his wife for a fire extinguisher as the blaze began, and by the time she returned the barn had spread rapidly; she burned her hands trying to reach him, the Maryland state fire marshal’s office said. Family members summoned firefighters to the home, and firefighters subsequently found Brown inside and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Cause ruled an accident by the medical examiner

A representative of the Maryland chief medical examiner’s office said the death resulted from diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation, and that the manner of death was determined to be an accident.

Bobby J Brown's daughter's message and funeral plans

A separate statement posted online by his daughter, Reina Samara Brown, described losing her father as "devastating" and said, "It hurts in a way that sits heavy in my chest and does not move. " She urged people to "sit with" their parents and "ask the extra question" about how they are doing, adding, "Stay a little longer. "

Brown's daughter said he was a devout Jehovah's Witness, and a funeral service is being planned. His agent, Albert Bramante, said, "I am upset and saddened. He was such a good actor and person. He was totally dedicated to the craft of acting and was a joy to work with. "

Career notes: from amateur boxing to The Wire and beyond

Per his IMDb page, Brown grew up in Washington DC and was a champion amateur boxer before moving into acting with appearances on Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He had an eponymous role as Officer Bobby Brown in 12 episodes of The Wire during the show’s run from 2002 to 2008, and he appeared in the 2022 HBO miniseries We Own This City, which starred Jon Bernthal.

Losses among The Wire cast this winter

Brown's death follows the recent deaths of other contributors to The Wire: James Ransone, 46, who died by suicide on 19 December; and Isiah Whitlock Jr., 71, who died 11 days after Ransone. Other past cast members who had died include Michael Kenneth Williams, Lance Reddick and Reg E Cathey, who portrayed Omar, Lt Cedric Daniels and Norman Wilson on the series.

A funeral service for Brown is being planned, and the Maryland chief medical examiner’s office issued its ruling on the cause and manner of death Friday.