Bobby Brown, 'The Wire' Actor, Dies at 62 After Barn Fire

bobby brown, 62, died after a barn fire at his Maryland home that began when he entered a barn to try to jump-start a car, the state medical examiner said, and the blaze was later ruled an accident.

Bobby Brown's final hours in Chaptico

Brown went into a barn at his residence in the St Mary’s County community of Chaptico at about 10 p. m. ET on Feb. 24 to try to jump-start a vehicle, and the attempt evidently ignited the barn. He asked his wife for a fire extinguisher, and by the time she returned the blaze had spread throughout the building.

Firefighters found him inside; wife injured trying to reach him

Family members summoned firefighters and said Brown was trapped inside the barn. Fire crews subsequently found him inside and pronounced him dead at the scene. The Maryland chief medical examiner’s office said Brown’s death resulted from diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation and that the manner was an accident. The fire marshal’s office said Brown’s wife burned her hands while trying to reach him.

Family statements and a daughter's plea

Brown’s daughter, Reina Samara Brown, called losing her father “devastating. ” She wrote that the pain “sits heavy in my chest and does not move” and said she would give anything to hear his voice again. Her statement urged people to “sit with” their parents and to “ask the extra question” about how they are doing, adding, “Stay a little longer. ”

Details added by family and representatives

Brown’s daughter said he died of smoke inhalation and that the family believes he did not suffer severe burns. She also said he was a devout Jehovah’s Witness and that a funeral service is being planned. Brown’s agent, Albert Bramante, said he was upset and saddened, calling Brown a good actor who was totally dedicated to the craft and a joy to work with. Bramante Artists said it was heartbroken by Brown’s death and praised his authenticity and integrity.

Career highlights: The Wire, TV roles and films

Brown grew up in Washington, D. C., and was a champion amateur boxer before he began acting. He appeared on cop shows including Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His most recognizable role was as Officer Bobby Brown on The Wire, in which he appeared in 12 episodes over the series’ run from 2002 to 2008. He also appeared in the 2022 HBO miniseries We Own This City, which starred Jon Bernthal.

Brown 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.

Where this sits among recent losses from The Wire

Brown’s death makes him the third member of the series to die since December. Actor James Ransone, 46, who portrayed Ziggy Sobotka, died by suicide on Dec. 19. Isiah Whitlock Jr., 71, who played Clay Davis, died 11 days after Ransone. Earlier losses among the cast have included Michael Kenneth Williams (Omar), Lance Reddick (Lt. Cedric Daniels) and Reg E. Cathey (Norman Wilson).

A Maryland chief medical examiner representative issued the cause-of-death ruling on Friday. A funeral service is being planned by the family.