Jacqueline Falk, daughter of late “Columbo” actor Peter Falk, has died. She was 60.
Jacqueline Falk was found dead at a Los Angeles home on Monday, April 27, according to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner. She died by suicide, the medical examiner determined as her manner of death.
USA TODAY has reached out to her sister Catherine Falk’s organization for comment.
Catherine and Jackie were Peter Falk’s adopted daughters with ex-wife Alyce Mayo. The “Princess Bride” actor and Mayo divorced in 1976, and he remarried the following year.
Peter Falk died in 2011 at 83 years old after battling Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that made public a rift within his family as Catherine Falk fought for visitation rights while wife Shera Falk was appointed his conservator.
“Even after the conservatorship proceeding was concluded, Mrs. Falk continued to interfere with the relationship between Mr. Falk and his daughters. Although Catherine fought for her right to visit Mr. Falk, his other daughter Jackie did not do so,” the Catherine Falk Organization’s website reads.
“As a consequence, Jackie was unable to visit her father for the last three years of his life. In addition, Mrs. Falk did not notify Mr. Falk’s daughters when he was hospitalized in June 2011, nor did she notify them when he died. Instead, they learned of their father’s death from media reports and their attorney. Mrs. Falk buried Mr. Falk without notifying his daughters.”
After Peter Falk’s death in June 2011, Catherine and Jacqueline issued a statement to media outlets saying they would “always remember him for his wisdom and humor, time shared on vacations and hockey games, and for wild rides through the streets of Los Angeles with a one-eyed driver.”
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can reach the 988 Lifeline 24/7 by calling or texting 988, or starting an online chat at 988lifeline.org. The Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message at 741741.