Malik James Final Act Foundation, Inc  created to honor the life of Malik Tyreece James who suddenly passed at the age of 28 on September 5, 2025 after attending the Twelfth Night- Shakespeare in the Park 2025 in Central Park (NY) for which he was invited to attend as he was a previous Greene Scholar. Malik future was promising actor as he received a Theatre role the same day with pending projects in the works.

We have learned that Malik’s death was due to an abnormal variant, p.P217T in the a gene called TRPM4 (Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily M Member 4).Malik was a carrier of a no symptom gene & variant until the death of his cousin who was giving a friend a safe harbor from her abusive spouse. Little is known about the variant: p.P217T, but in the science community, it is consider an uncertain significance (VUS) unless proven pathogenic/genetically. Unfortunately in Malik’s case, the end result was a rare death. Because of Malik’s death, his tissue is being researched by scientist to help the health care community and give the family further answers. In most cases, no symptoms will be shown, if you have the variant. but emotional and physical stress unmask the variant so you may never know until you stress, sleep deprivation, illness or use stimulants. 

What we do know, when asked if the stress from his cousin’s death could have triggered the variant, the answer was yes. We do know that Malik had suffered from extreme stress on his heart as he started experiencing seizures after the death of his cousin, AJ who was murdered on July 2025. We also know, Stress increases calcium/adrenaline → TRPM4 activity increases. His friends in New York stated returning from his theatre role at the Williamstown Festival, a light was out his eyes (“never seen him like that”). At that point he was seeking mental health, but passed before he could get the help needed.

Malik was a Texas State University BFA and Yale School of Drama MFA graduate. He was the most kind, and inspirational friend. Malik was unapologetically himself which gave people around him a glimpse of his passion, and encouraged future friends (no one was a stranger to Malik), personal friends, and family to do the same. Many people would describe him as a comedian with a gentle and generous nature.

We could not save Malik, but we hope to spread the word about this variant and how seeking mental health is important. If out of the blue, someone you know is stressed and present with the above symptoms, please get check cardiology ASAP! 

-Hamilton Family