Angus Cloud, the star of the HBO series Euphoria, died from an accidental drug overdose on July 31, 2023, at the age of 25. His mother, Lisa Cloud, has revealed the heartbreaking details of how she found her son dead in his bedroom at their Oakland, California home.
Lisa Cloud told PEOPLE that Angus was a talented and artistic young man who loved his home and his family. “He was so beautiful and creative,” she said. “He loved his home and he loved this little, tiny room.” She said that Angus had a passion for arts and crafts, and was working on some projects in his room the night before he died. He also expressed his intention to help his mother financially and emotionally, as well as his sisters who were in college.
Lisa found Angus slumped over on his desk
The next morning, Lisa went to check on Angus and found him slumped over on his desk, where he had fallen asleep. She initially thought he was just resting, but soon realized that he was not breathing. “I started shaking him and screaming. I pushed him hard, and he fell on the floor. I tried to resuscitate him — mouth to mouth — and I was compressing him,” she said, sobbing. “I was screaming for my neighbor because I didn’t want to leave him and call 911, and I just kept at it until they took him away.”
Angus had a deadly mix of drugs in his system
According to the Alameda County coroner, Angus suffered acute intoxication from a combination of drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepine. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and can cause fatal overdoses even in small doses. Lisa said that she did not know if Angus had taken any drugs that night, or what he may have put in his body after they hugged goodnight.
Angus was grieving the loss of his father
Lisa said that Angus was also grieving the loss of his father, Conor Hickey, who died two months before Angus from a heart attack. Angus had traveled to Ireland to attend his father’s funeral, but returned with severe suicidal thoughts, according to a source close to the family. Lisa said that Angus had been seeing a therapist and taking medication for his depression, but she did not think he was suicidal. “He had so much to live for,” she said.
Angus was best known for playing Fez in Euphoria
Angus was best known for playing Fezco, or Fez, in the critically acclaimed HBO series Euphoria, which stars Zendaya as a teenager struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Angus was discovered by the show’s casting director while walking on the street in New York City. He had no acting experience prior to landing the role of Fez, a drug dealer who cares for his customers and tries to protect them from harm. Angus received praise for his natural and authentic performance, as well as his chemistry with Zendaya.
Lisa said that Angus loved working on Euphoria and was proud of being part of the show. He had finished filming the second season before he died, which is expected to premiere in 2024. Lisa said that she hopes that Angus’ death will raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and the need for more support for people suffering from mental health problems. “I don’t want anyone else to go through what I’m going through,” she said. “I miss him so much. He was the love of my life.”
