British actor David Legeno, best known for playing a werewolf in the Harry Potter film series, was found dead Sunday in a remote wash in Death Valley, officials said.

Legeno, 50, appeared to have died of heat-related issues, according to the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department.

Although a cause of death has yet to be determined, sheriff’s officials said it appears his death was not the result of foul play.

Sheriff’s officials did not say why Legeno was in the area.


Two people hiking about 7 a.m. near a remote wash below Manly Beacon, just west of Zabriskie Point, found his body and notified authorities.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter flew out from Apple Valley to the area to transport his body, the sheriff’s department said.

Legeno played Fenrir Greyback in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts I and II.” He also starred in the Showtime series “Borgia” and in the film “Snow White and the Huntsman.”

Legeno was also a professional mixed-martial arts fighter.


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