Bobby Brown dies at 62 in barn fire at Maryland home
bobby brown, the actor best known for playing Officer Bobby Brown on The Wire, has died after a barn fire at his Maryland residence. The death was ruled an accident by the chief medical examiner, and family members have shared statements about the circumstances and their grief.
Barn fire in Chaptico: timeline and actions
Brown entered a barn at his home in the St Mary’s county community of Chaptico at about 10 p. m. on 24 February to try to jump-start a car. The vehicle evidently ignited during the attempt, and Brown asked his wife for a fire extinguisher. By the time she returned with the extinguisher the blaze had spread throughout the barn; family members told firefighters he was trapped inside, and responders subsequently found him and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Family response and injuries while trying to save him
Brown’s wife was injured while attempting to reach him in the burning barn. One account says she burned her hands trying to reach him, while another describes her as suffering severe burns while trying to save him. Family members summoned firefighters to the home as the fire spread.
Medical findings: cause and manner of death
A representative of the Maryland chief medical examiner’s office said Brown’s death resulted from diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation, and that the manner of death was determined to be an accident. Brown’s daughter has said the family believes he died of smoke inhalation and that he did not suffer from the most severe burns sustained in the blaze.
Statements from daughter and planned funeral
Reina Samara Brown posted a statement online calling the loss of her father “devastating. ” She wrote, in part, “It hurts in a way that sits heavy in my chest and does not move, ” and said, “I would give anything to hear his voice again, to see him one more time, and to have one more conversation. ” She described the suddenness of the loss and urged people to spend more time with their parents: “Stay a little longer, ” she wrote, and urged readers to “sit with” their parents and “ask the extra question. ” Reina Samara Brown has also said her father was a devout Jehovah’s Witness and that a funeral service is being planned.
Career, credits and background
Bobby J. Brown grew up in Washington DC and was a champion amateur boxer before launching an acting career. He began with appearances in police dramas such as Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His most recognizable role was as Officer Bobby Brown on The Wire; he appeared in 12 episodes during the show’s run from 2002 to 2008 and in all but Season Two, including the Season Five finale, "-30-. "
Brown also appeared in the 2008 film From Within and more recently in the 2022 miniseries We Own This City, which starred Jon Bernthal. Behind the camera, he directed two films: Tear the Roof Off, a Parliament-Funkadelic documentary released in 2016, and Off the Chain, a history of the pit bull released in 2006.
Agency remarks and the wider context among former cast members
His talent agency, Bramante Artists, said it was heartbroken by Brown’s death. Albert Bramante, identified with the agency, said Brown was a formidable talent and a man of great integrity, noting his history as a Golden Gloves champion and praising his authenticity and dedication to the craft.
Brown was the third member of The Wire’s cast to die since December. The 46-year-old actor James Ransone, who portrayed Ziggy Sobotka, died by suicide on 19 December; another cast member, Isiah Whitlock Jr., was 71 and died 11 days after Ransone. Other performers from the series who had died previously include Michael Kenneth Williams, Lance Reddick and Reg E Cathey, who portrayed Omar, Lt. Cedric Daniels and Norman Wilson, respectively.
Brown’s representative confirmed his death on Thursday. Meriam Bouarrouj is an assignment editor who was listed on one of the reports of the death.
