ER actress shot dead by police in California

Vanessa Marquez, best known for her role as nurse Wendy Goldman on the hit hospital drama ER, was shot dead by police

Police were called out to Marquez's home by her landlord on August 30, where a stand-off ensued. Lt Joe Mendoza of the Los Angeles county sheriff’s department told the press that Marquez brandish a weapon at the police officers, who then shot her dead. It was later revealed that the "weapon" she'd been holding was a BB gun. Mendoza further reported that prior to being shot, Marquez “was undergoing some medical problems, some seizures”. Marquez had previously struggled with mental illness, including OCD and depression. Her illnesses were documented in an episode of A&E show Intervention. Marquez featured on ER for four seasons, and starred in the show's pilot in 1994. Her character was often the subject of the show's more light-hearted subplots. Marquez was 49 at the time of her death.