The half-sister of actress Julia Roberts has been found dead in Los Angeles from a suspected drug overdose.The body of Nancy Motes, 37, was found inside a bathtub full of water at a friend’s home on Sunday afternoon, where she had been dog-sitting.
LA County Coroner spokesman John Kades said prescription drugs were found at the residence.
He added that indications of a suicide note had also been found, but said the exact cause of death had not been determined.
Lieutenant Larry Dietz, of the LA County coroner’s office, said a post-mortem examination had yet to be performed.
Ms Motes was the half sister of Oscar-winner Roberts and her brother, Eric Roberts, also an actor. She was born to their mother.
In a statement to People magazine, the Roberts family said they were “shocked and devastated” by Ms Motes’s death.
“It is with deep sadness that the family of Nancy Motes … confirms that she was found dead in Los Angeles yesterday of an apparent drug overdose,” the family said.
Julia Roberts, 46, who is currently nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar for her role in August: Osage County, did not attend a nominees luncheon hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on Monday.
