This post has been updated with new information. Nelsan Ellis's family is speaking out just days after he died from heart failure. The actor, best known for his role as Lafayette Reynolds in HBO's True Blood series, died on Saturday following alcohol withdrawal complications, after struggling with drug and alcohol abuse for years. Following his tragic death, his family released the following statement to The Hollywood Reporter in hopes of helping anyone else struggling with addiction: "Nelsan's father, has bravely agreed for me to share the circumstances of Nelsan's heart failure. Nelsan has suffered with drug and alcohol abuse for years. After many stints in rehab, Nelsan attempted to withdraw from alcohol on his own. According to his father, during his withdrawal from alcohol he had a blood infection, his kidneys shut down, his liver was swollen, his blood pressure plummeted, and his dear sweet heart raced out of control.