Marissa Cooper of The O.C is dead

� Aishwarya Rai - 'Provoked' Photos | Main | Jodie Foster raps to Eminem �

May 20, 2006

Marissa Cooper of The O.C is dead

Marissa Cooper, played by Mischa Barton was killed in a car crash on the show's season 3 finale.

Marissa's death came at the end of an otherwise upbeat episode.

The class of 2006, which includes Marissa, Ryan, Seth and Summer, graduated from Harbor High School. Seth and Summer were accepted by the same college. Ryan was reunited with his mother, who gave him a Land Cruiser as a graduation gift. Marissa's mom gave her a pearl necklace, while her dad gave her an opportunity to work with him on a yacht set to sail around the Greek islands.

Ryan was taking Marissa to the airport in his new SUV when they were antagonized at high speed by a drunken and vengeful Volchok, who they both had a history with. Volchok swigged from a flask as he chased the pair in his car.

Ryan lost control of the Land Cruiser and crashed, the vehicle rolling off the road. He pulled Marissa from the wreckage just before the vehicle caught fire.

There, on the side of the road, she died in his arms.

Mischa Barton at the 22nd Annual Infinity Awards Gala.