Julia Roberts' half-sister, Nancy Motes, has been found dead in a Los Angeles home. She was 37.
Paramedics were called to the home on Sunday after Motes was found on the floor of the bathroom, said Los Angeles County Coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter.
She was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:12 pm.
Her family is deeply saddened by her sudden demise.
"It is with deep sadness that the family of Nancy Motes confirms that she was found dead in Los Angeles on February 9 of an apparent drug overdose. The family is both shocked and devastated," a statement issued by her family read yesterday.
A drug overdose could be the reason, but the cause of death is still under investigation by the coroner's officer.
"She has a history of some medical issues. Some prescription drugs were found near her body," Winter said.
The autopsy is scheduled for today.
Motes was the daughter of Roberts' mother Betty Lou and stepfather Michael Motes. She was also aunt to 'American Horror Story' actress Emma Roberts. She had been working as a professional dog walker and pet-sitter at the time of her passing.
Roberts skipped an Academy Awards luncheon in Beverly Hills, which she was due to attend to promote 'August: Osage County', to grieve her loss.
