‘ER’ Star Mary Mara’s Cause of Death Released

Actress Mary Mara died from asphyxiation and drowning in upstate New York over the weekend, New York State Police announced Wednesday.

The ER actress’ cause of death was announced three days after she was found dead in the St. Lawrence River in Cape Vincent.

“The Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office performed a post-mortem examination and determined that Mary Mara’s manner of death was an accident, due to asphyxiation, and water drowning,” New York State Police said in their update Wednesday.

The 61-year-old’s body was found by state troopers close to the Canadian border. At the time, officials said there were no signs of foul play.

Officials are still investigating Mara’s death.

Mara’s lengthy career in entertainment was best defined by her role as Loretta Sweet on ER, which ran from the mid-1990s until 2009. She also starred in the police drama series Nash Bridges and has made appearances on Law and Order and Criminal Minds.

Along with television, she also dabbled in film. She played Billy Crystal‘s daughter in Mr. Saturday Night and starred in Love Potion No. 9 with Sandra Bullock. Her final film performance was in the 2020 film Break Even.