Johnny Lewis, who played roles on the TV series “Sons of Anarchy” and “O.C.” was found dead in the driveway of a Los Feliz, California home yesterday. Allegedly, Lewis was high on either methamphetamine or PCP when he assaulted two men and presumably beat his 81-year-old landlady and her cat to death before either jumping or falling from the roof of her home, in which he was renting a room. Police are investigating the homicide, but are not looking for other suspects. Six days before his death, Lewis had been released from jail where he had been held on a number of charges. He recently spent time in a drug rehabilitation facility.
PCP, also known as “angel dust,” and methamphetamine cause people to act in strange, often violent ways. PCP was developed as an anesthetic, which means that those who use it feel no pain. Because of this, they do things they would not normally do if they could feel pain, as pain often limits how far we will push ourselves. This includes violent outbursts, which can be taken to incredible heights when the assailant cannot feel pain. Methamphetamine can create a sense of empowerment in the user, initiating a belief that the user can accomplish anything. However, it can also cause the user to become grandiose, paranoid and aggressive. It is clear that based on reports of Lewis’ activities prior to his death, that the police are correct to investigate the probability that drug abuse was involved in this series of heart-breaking events.
The tragedy is that had Mr. Lewis gotten the treatment he needed, he and his landlady might still be alive today. Do not wait. If you or someone you love needs treatment, act now by finding a quality treatment facility with an open bed and stay for the entire course of the treatment program suggested.