Muldoon was discovered on the bathroom floor by Rothbart, who immediately called emergency services. According to Daily Mirror - Main, his sister Shana Muldoon-Zappa described how Rothbart attempted resuscitation before paramedics arrived, but by the time family members reached the home, he had already passed away. The official cause of death has not been released by medical examiners, and it remains unclear whether any undiagnosed conditions contributed to the apparent cardiac event.
In his final hours, Muldoon had been enjoying a night out with Rothbart at the new Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The couple, who had been dating since 2023 and celebrated their second anniversary in August, shared coffee together on the morning of his death before he went to shower. Muldoon had posted a social media tribute to Rothbart earlier, writing that he loved his girl and thanked her for two years together.
She called 911, and she was trying to bring him back, then the paramedics got there. My parents were at our house because we're all in LA, and we all ran over there. But by the time we got there, he was gone.
Muldoon's family rushed to his home after being notified of his death. During the chaotic response, his elderly father fell while running into the home and suffered a fractured shoulder. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Shana Muldoon-Zappa described her brother as being in peak physical condition, noting he was an ex-athlete who regularly practiced jiu-jitsu, martial arts, and running.
Muldoon's ex-girlfriend, actress Denise Richards, is believed to be deeply affected by his death. The pair dated intermittently throughout the 1990s but maintained a friendship after their split, appearing together publicly as recently as March when they walked the red carpet at the Saturn Awards. The investigation into Muldoon's death is ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed the exact time of death or how Rothbart is coping following the incident.
He's so healthy, he's an ex-athlete, he goes to jiu-jitsu, he's a martial artist, he runs, he works out. It seems like he was in a highlight in his life. And then to just [die] suddenly, it's just unbelievable.