Family Affair Child Star Anissa Jones Dies of Accidental Drug Overdose at 18
Aug. 28, 1976 — Oceanside, Calif. Anissa Jones, the child actress best known for her role as Buffy on the 1960s sitcom Family Affair, was found dead at age 18 in a friend’s house here from an accidental overdose of multiple drugs.
The official cause of death was listed as “combined drug intoxication” involving cocaine, PCP (phencyclidine, or “angel dust”), Quaaludes, and Seconal (a barbiturate), according to reports from the San Diego County coroner.
The coroner described the case as one of the most severe he had seen, per details in IMDb trivia and other accounts.
One of the worst cases I’ve ever seen.
— San Diego County coroner, as cited in contemporary reports (Find a Death)
Discovery of the Body
Jones’ body was discovered the morning after a party by the homeowner’s son at the residence in Oceanside, according to detailed accounts.
Background and Toxicology Details
The overdose was ruled accidental, with toxicology confirming the presence of cocaine, PCP, Quaaludes, and Seconal, as documented in Remind Magazine and IMDb bio.
Jones had gained fame as a child star on Family Affair, which aired from 1966 to 1971. Following the show’s end, she faced challenges transitioning out of acting, leading to her involvement in the party scene where the incident occurred (Wikipedia).
Retrospective articles, including one updated in January 2026 by All That’s Interesting, recount her life and tragic end nearly 50 years later, with no major new developments reported.
