Before I even clicked on this thread I knew who it was going to be about. It's a shame too, I really liked her as Laurie, she was much better than the actress who replaced her (also, because of her addiction problems.). That doesn't make it any less of a tragedy though. it's nice that she wanted to get clean, but unfortunately it was too late.
I wasn't into the show and her, but vaguely aware of her downward spiral. RIP, most unfortunate. 43 is still very young.
Yeah I was surprised too, I mean I can't say she had the best life towards the end but still I didn't think she would be dead at 43.
It wasn't so sudden and leftfield as that bloke from Glee, the addiction abuse and other bad things happening in her life was visibly taking a awful physical toll, contributing to her demise when still comparatively youthful: