Former Adult Film Star Brooke West Dies Homeless, Highlighting Industry Vulnerabilities

San Francisco, California – Mary Cruser, widely recognized by her stage name Brooke West during her career in the adult film industry, died on April 20, 2021, in San Francisco. Her death, classified as a homicide, occurred after years of living homeless and struggling with severe mental health issues and drug addiction. The tragic circumstances of her passing were brought to light by a social media post from user "bettersoma," who shared a video clip featuring West.

The tweet, posted on November 28, 2020, stated: > "Remembering Steven. A clip with Mary Cruser aka Brooke West, a very famous and prolific porn star ⬇️ My intention was that they didn’t die on the sidewalk 🎥 November 28, 2020." The author, "bettersoma," later provided further context, revealing a personal connection to Cruser. "I took care of Mary the best I could, she lived outside my house for years. She always asked me to call her Brooke," the user explained, adding that Cruser's struggles reflected a "system failure" involving drugs and mental issues.

Brooke West, born Mary Elizabeth Cruser on March 15, 1959, gained prominence in the 1980s, appearing in notable adult films such as "Nasty Nurses" and "Johnny Does Paris." Despite her past celebrity status, she became largely unrecognizable in her later years due to the profound impact of her homelessness and health challenges. Her story underscores the often-unseen struggles faced by individuals after their careers in the adult entertainment industry conclude.

The sentiment expressed in "bettersoma's" tweet, particularly "My intention was that they didn’t die on the sidewalk," resonates with the broader crisis of homelessness prevalent in major cities like San Francisco. Data indicates a disturbing trend of increased deaths among unhoused populations, often attributed to drug overdoses, violence, and inadequate access to healthcare. This highlights a critical need for more robust social support systems.

While the "Steven" mentioned in the original tweet remains an unspecified individual, the collective remembrance serves as a poignant reminder of the human toll exacted by systemic failures in addressing homelessness and mental health. Organizations such as the Entertainment Community Fund and the Motion Picture & Television Fund exist to provide support for industry workers, yet the escalating number of unhoused individuals underscores the persistent and growing demand for comprehensive aid.