‘General Hospital’ Star Johnny Wactor’s Co-Worker Speaks Out After He Was Killed In Front Of Her: “He Fought To Stay”

Anita Joy has broken her silence on the tragic death of General Hospital star Johnny Wactor. Joy was present at the scene of his death when a “few criminals trying to steal a car part” fatally shot the 37-year-old actor.

“I’ve needed to take some time to collect myself and my thoughts,” Joy wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday (May 29). “I was with Johnny in his last moments and I’m here to be his voice after such unimaginable events.”

According to Joy, she and Wactor were leaving their bartending shift at Level 8 in downtown Los Angeles early Saturday morning (May 25) when they noticed a group of men trying to steal a car part.

“We cautiously approached the men, questioning what they were doing, at first thinking the car was being towed,” she wrote. “We were no threat and Johnny kept his cool as he always did, simply stating that it was his car and for them to leave. Hands open to his sides in peace.”

Joy continued, “Johnny was between me and the man who shot him — as I heard the shot ring into the night, he forcefully tumbled back into my arms and as I grabbed for him, I shouted, ‘Hunny, you OK?!’ And he only responded, ‘Nope! Shot!’ We toppled onto the street, where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help and screaming at him to stay with me.”

One of the security guards from Level 8 was crossing the street when the incident occurred. He called 911 and administered CPR to Wactor, while they both tied Joy’s denim jacket around him to stop the bleeding.

“It was too close range, too extreme of a wound for him to survive it,” she recalled. “But my God, he fought to stay.”

Joy concluded, “I am utterly heartbroken and so very angry. My only peace is that I was with him and this didn’t happen to him alone — my other peace will be seeing these awful men brought to justice.”

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In the caption, Joy remembered Wactor — who played Brando Corbin in General Hospital — as “beautiful, goofy as hell [and] full of work ethic and values.”

“Johnny had this incredible ability that was truly just his genuine nature — to make anyone and everyone feel so special in his eyes,” she continued. “No matter how well you knew him, he treated everyone like he truly cared about you.”

The bartender also shed some light on their longtime friendship.

“He called me ‘Anita Bonita’ and I hope the stamp of his voice saying that every time I saw him never leaves my memory,” she said. “Just one look into his big blue eyes, followed by a big goofy grin, Johnny made you love him instantly. Absolutely one of the best men I’ve ever known. I’m so grateful to have been a part of his world and him, mine.”