Harris Wittels Death 2015: 'Parks and Rec' Producer Dies After Rumored Drug Overdose, Amy Poehler Pays Tribute To Friend [VIDEO]
Parks and Recreation executive producer Harris Wittels was found dead in his home on Thursday. While authorities have yet to confirm the actual cause of his death, many think the fatal accident is a result of a drug overdose.
On Thursday TMZ reported that law enforcement pronounced Wittels dead around 1 pm on Thursday afternoon. According to sources, the 30-year-old's body was found on his couch.
Apparently officials found drug paraphernalia in the house and there were no signs of trauma to his body.
Wittels has been very open about his battles with drug addiction in the past and he admitted to going to rehab twice.
In addition to executive producing for Parks and Recreation, Wittels also wrote and produced for Eastbound and Down and The Sarah Silverman Project.
Just one night before his passing, Wittels performed stand up at The Meltdown in Los Angeles. While on stage, he told the audience that he was clean and sober, and he said that he was in a really good place.
Parks and Recreation is currently in its final season, and the series finale is scheduled to air next week. Star Amy Poehler paid tribute to her late friend while giving a speech at Variety's second annual unite4humanity event.
"Today, I lost a friend," said Poehler. "I lost a dear, young friend in my life who was struggling with addiction.
"I'm sharing it with you because life and death live so close together, and we walk that fine line everyday," she said in her speech. "When things happen in our lives, we turn to the people that we love...and we lean on people, in a hope that we will ease our pain."
