General Hospital star Johnny Wactor's cause of death revealed after Downtown LA murder

Johnny Wactor's cause of death has been revealed after actor was shot and killed on Saturday, May 26 by thieves attempting to steal the catalytic convertor on his vehicle in Downtown Los Angeles. 

In the death certificate obtained by TMZ on Thursday, the medical examiner cited that the star tragically passed away at the age of 37 due to a 'gunshot wound to the chest' - with no other contributing factors. 

Following his death, Wactor's remains were sent to his home state of South Carolina where he was cremated, with his ashes now with his mother, Scarlett, at her home. 

His loved ones had requested that his body be transferred to South Carolina after he was tragically killed. 

The death certificate also noted that the shooting occurred on a 'street and/or highway,' while officials stated he was shot by another individual - ultimately ruling his passing as a homicide. 

The certificate also listed his occupation as 'actor' and added that Johnny had worked in the entertainment industry for 15 years. 

On Saturday, May 26 at around 3:25am, Wactor was leaving his side-job at a 'cathedral style' nightclub called Sinners y Santos in Downtown LA with his co-worker, Anita Joy. 

He noticed that three men - all wearing masks - were near his vehicle, which was propped up on a jack. 

The star thought the car was being towed and upon approaching the assailants, one pointed his gun at the actor. Johnny put his body in the way of his female colleague to protect her, and was shot. 

Wactor was transported to a hospital by paramedics, but was pronounced dead shortly after. 

According to police, the three men quickly fled the scene in another vehicle. Law enforcement is still on the hunt for the men who currently remain at large. 

The actor had taken up a job bartending to make ends meet, despite having battled a drinking problem, at the nightclub - just a few blocks away from where he was shot dead. 

Family members previously told DailyMail.com that the 'southern gentleman' had been escorting a female co-worker to her vehicle at the time and shielded her with his body when a trio of thieves opened fire.