Frank Vallelonga Jr.Photo: Albert L. Ortega/Getty
Frank Vallelonga Jr.’s cause of death has been determined just over four monthssince his body was found in New York City.
The 60-year-old’s body was discovered early in the morning on Nov. 28, with police sharing in a press release at the time that he had “no obvious signs of trauma” but was pronounced dead at the scene.
New York Postpreviouslyreportedthat Vallelonga Jr.’s body was thrown out of a car and left outside of a sheet-metal manufacturing factory, and the outlet cited police sources claiming, based on an initial investigation, it was likely Vallelonga Jr. died of a drug overdose.
Police previously said 35-year-old Steven Smith was arrested and charged with concealment of a human corpse in connection with Vallelonga Jr.’s death.
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An NYPDspokesperson toldThe Postin December that surveillance video captured Smith pushing the late actor’s body out of a car. He also allegedly admitted to the act during an interrogation for an unrelated case, according to the outlet. However, Smith denied any involvement in Vallelonga Jr.’s death and told authorities, “That dude was dead already,“according to News 10in Albany, New York.
According to theNew York Daily News, an arrest warrant was issued in January when Smith didn’t show up for an appearance at Bronx Criminal Court, and the outlet reported that the current state of the case is currently unclear.
Vallelonga Jr.’s father was actor Tony Lip, born Frank Vallelonga. Lip died in 2013 and appeared inThe Sopranos, 1997’sDonnie Brasco,The Godfather,and starred inGoodfellas, according toVariety.Vallelonga, Jr.’s big break came when he played his uncle, Rudy Vallelonga, inGreen Book.
The movie won an Oscar for Best Picture in 2019. Viggo Mortensen portrayed Lip in the film.
source: people.com
