Death in Venice star Björn Andrésen’s infant son Elvin died from sudden infant death syndrome

Björn Andrésen, the former teen star who rose to fame with his role in Death in Venice, has passed away. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Andrésen died on Saturday, October 25, though no cause of death has been revealed at this time. He had two children, one of whom, Elvin Andrésen, tragically died as an infant at just nine months old from sudden infant death syndrome.

Björn Andrésen was cast in the 1971 film Death in Venice, where he played the role of the teenage Thaddeus Tadzio Moes. It was the film’s director, Luchino Visconti, who famously referred to Andrésen as “the most beautiful boy in the world.” Later in life, Andrésen spoke in detail about how that moniker made him uncomfortable throughout his life. Apart from this, he also appeared in other movies like Pelicanman, The Swedish-Minded Murderer, and Shelley. The 2021 documentary The Most Beautiful Boy in the World explored his experiences dealing with fame following the role that brought him widespread recognition.

More about Björn Andrésen's son's death, as the former teen heartthrob passes away

Björn Andrésen later pursued a career as a musician and previously toured as part of the Sven Erics Dance Band. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Andrésen was previously married to poet Suzanna Roman from 1983 until their divorce in 1987. Not much is known about their relationship, but they welcomed their first child, Robine Andrésen, in 1984, and their second child, a son, Elvin Andrésen, in 1986.

Elvin Andrésen was just nine months old when he died after suffering from what is known as sudden infant death syndrome. The incident took place when Björn Andrésen, who was reportedly intoxicated, was lying next to his infant son while his wife was away with their daughter running an errand. According to the Cleveland Clinic, sudden infant death syndrome is a condition that affects infants between one month and one year old. It occurs without any medically explained reason. According to the Daily Mail, in his documentary The Most Beautiful Boy in the World, Björn Andrésen recalled the night of the tragedy, stating that his child’s death affected him profoundly. He said:

"Their diagnosis is sudden infant death syndrome but my diagnosis is lack of love. The family collapsed. I descended into depression, alcohol, self-destruction in all ways imaginable — it was an ego trip. Poor me, me, me."

His ex-wife, Suzanna Roman, also remembered the incident in her own way. In an Instagram post shared earlier this year in June, she reflected on the day her son Elvin Andrésen passed away. In the post, she wrote that she often walks along Årstaviken, a place that strongly reminds her of that fateful day. Roman added that she does not remember much from that day, saying, “I have no memories of that,” and describing the last morning she spent with her son before his tragic passing. She wrote:

"Or the story of memories of the last morning. Like Elvin sits in the highchair with a piece of bread in his hand and wants to get down on the floor. That I carry him with his back against me into the bedroom and put him to bed. The fact that I am angry. That I'm having trouble getting the bike out on the street."

She further added:

Trending

"I remember having a light shirt, maybe a men's shirt that isn't exactly beige but more just light sandy, and that I would get the cigarette pack from the spice rack above the fan and stuff it in my chest pocket. Despite the fact that it is in such a hurry down to the ambulance, I take the turn into the kitchen."

Björn Andrésen was seventy years old at the time of his death and is survived by his daughter and two granddaughters.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback