Julia Roberts Half-Sister Found Dead, But Who Was Nancy Motes?

Nancy Motes, the younger half-sister of Julia Roberts, was found dead on Monday from a suspected drug overdose. According to a source for the New York Daily News, the 37-year-old was discovered by her fiancé in the house where she had been pet-sitting. Motes was a professional dog walker and pet sitter. The home she was found in was rented by a surgeon. She was surrounded by both prescription and non-prescription drugs.

Roberts' sister was discovered on Sunday, but the announcement was made Monday.

According to a source at the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, the suspected cause of death is suicide, however confirming or denying this may take weeks. Part of the problem is the lack of evidence – according to the Daily News’ source, there was no note, nor any evidence of foul play found at the scene. Police and paramedics responded to the call at around 2PM on Sunday. according to a spokesperson for the local fire department. However, the case was reported to the county coroner as a suicide, said Craig R. Harvey, chief of coroner Investigations for Los Angeles County for the Daily News.

A spokesperson for Roberts’ family addressed the tragedy in a statement on Monday, saying: “It is with deep sadness that the family of Nancy Motes ... confirms that she was found dead in Los Angeles yesterday of an apparent drug overdose," the statement said. "The family is both shocked and devastated."

Roberts, who is an Oscar nominee this year for her role in the family drama August: Osage County, chose not to attend yesterday’s Oscar luncheon.

Understandably, Roberts was absent from Monday's Oscar nominees luncheon.