Harry Potter actor's disturbing death with body undiscovered for days

In a devastating turn of events, a Harry Potter actor died in a terrible hiking tragedy, with his body lying undiscovered for several days.

The MMA fighter and boxer Dave Legeno was only 50 when his body was found in California's Death Valley National Park back in 2014.

Legeno had played Fenrir Greyback across Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 and 2. Two walkers stumbled upon his remains in an isolated spot during July 2014, with local officials believing heat-related factors may have contributed to his death.

"It appears that Legeno died of heat-related issues, but the Inyo County coroner will determine the final cause of death," the Inyo County Sheriff's Office wrote in a statement. Legeno began his professional journey as a boxer and mixed martial arts fighter under the name Lone Wolf.

He landed his first screen role in Guy Ritchie's early 2000s comedy Snatch before going on to feature in Batman Begins. When he passed away, Legeno was scheduled to star in the medieval action picture Sword of Vengeance, reports the Daily Star.

He was also meant to feature in the medieval thriller Last Knights, which remained in post-production at the time of his passing.

His closest relatives, including his daughter Wendy Legeno, chose not to issue any public statement or comments. Nevertheless, his co-stars voiced their grief.

Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, said: "Dave Legeno. It was always a pleasure. He was a great talent with a heart of gold and always had time for anyone. Dave was a soft, kind gentleman off screen but had the skill to be the complete opposite on screen. He taught me lots, You will be missed mate."

Emma Watson posted: "I'm so sad to hear about #DaveLegeno. He was such a lovely man. I hope he is resting in peace."

In the year preceding his passing, Legeno himself made touching remarks about his fellow cast members, saying: "The way I was treated when I walked on set... they treat you like you are one of the family. The people you work with make it good. Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman were all like, 'Hi Dave, how are you?'. They are friendly and not overly serious. Once the cameras stop rolling we are cracking jokes and having fun."

MMA professional fighter Don Frye added: "Just found out my good friend Dave Legeno's body was found in Death Valley. It was too soon for a man that good."

Death Valley, a basin 282ft below sea level, is the hottest, driest national park in the US.

Daily temperatures frequently soar to 49C, around 120F, while overnight they can plummet to as low as -9.4C, with the highest ever recorded temperature reaching 56.7C.

The London-born actor previously worked as a bouncer and wrestler before turning to boxing and eventually breaking into the film industry.