Erik Frank’s death was addressed in the recent episode of Hollywood Demons, titled “Dark Side of the Power Rangers.” He was the older brother of the late actor and mixed martial artist Jason David Frank (also referred to as JDF).
The Power Rangers star known for portraying the iconic Tommy Oliver in the media franchise passed away a few years ago, while his sibling, Erik Frank, ended his life in April 2001. Previously, there was little to no information about the cause of Erik’s death, but his wife confirmed it to be a suicide on the Hollywood Demons episode about Power Rangers.
Erik’s wife, Nicole Frank Ybarra, recounted the day he died in the latest episode of Investigation Discovery’s docuseries (via Daily Mail). She recalled it as a “normal day” and said,
“I just made breakfast. He said he was going to take a nap. I said okay. And about 45 minutes later, I thought, I'm going to check on him… We had a big canopy bed. He passed away from hanging himself.”
Nicole felt that Erik Frank’s career and his brother’s success might have played a factor in him taking such a drastic step,
“I think it had a lot to do with his career. There was definitely jealousy. He was feeling not as successful as his brother.”
JDF and Erik Frank famously shared a screen on Power Rangers Zeo. Jason’s real-life sibling played his long-lost brother, David Trueheart, in five episodes of the show.
Erik Frank’s death deeply impacted his brother, Jason David Frank
JDF struggled with mental health issues and depression in the later years of his life. His brother’s untimely passing was also one of the reasons behind Jason David Frank’s struggles. In Hollywood Demons: Dark Side of the Power Rangers. JDF’s former sister-in-law and Erik Frank’s wife recollected their last interaction.
Nicole Frank Ybarra mentioned Jason feeling guilty as she said (via Daily Mail),
“The last conversation with Jason that I can recollect is him coming to my parents' home shortly after we laid Erik to rest, and he just shared with me how terrible he felt and how he wished Erik was still here…. He had a lot of guilt.”
Erik Frank’s demise also led JDF to seek religious help and start attending church after suffering personal tragedies, per CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) News. He told the network during a conversation in the 2010s,
“I didn't really understand what the whole church thing was about and then, you know… it was probably when I lost my brother…”
Jason almost teared up mid-conversation before he added,
“When I lost my brother, it was like, people were, like, telling me I need God and all that stuff, and I was like, 'If one more person tells me that, then that is what it is.”
JDF continued to remember his late brother and pay him tribute through his social media posts until he died in November 2022. Jason committed suicide at a hotel where he was staying with his estranged wife, Tammie. The couple was reportedly attempting to reconcile months after the divorce filing.
Tammie talked about Jason David Frank’s death in a recent episode of the documentary series by Investigation Discovery. She said (via Daily Mail),
“I needed to talk to Jason… Finally, he agreed to go to a country bar. We were having a great time [and] we didn't leave the bar until after 2am [and] the lights were on,”
After spending time at the bar, they went back to their room. Tammie revealed that she left JDF alone for a short period. She continued,
“I go downstairs to get snacks and by the time I get back, I don't have the key. I was banging on the door.”
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After getting no response from Jason, Tammie sought help from the hotel staff, and they called the police for assistance. The actor’s unresponsive body was found inside the room, and later, his family announced his death via social media.
The Hollywood Demons episode also explored JDF’s legacy and other controversies around Power Rangers. It also talked about the infamous 2017 assassination attempt on Jason David Frank’s life.
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