Tyler Christopher Vowed Weeks Before Dying to Make 'Serious Changes' to Become a Better Father (Exclusive)

Tyler Christopher was determined to make amends with his children before his untimely death. 

One month before he died, the General Hospital actor met his beloved fans at a special meet and greet held in New York City, where he opened up about his struggles with addiction and the steps he was taking to be more present for his children. 

Joanne Morrissey, a superfan who drove 13 hours from New Brunswick, Canada to meet him, recalls how he “put his whole life on the line” in a sit down with his fans. Among the things he discussed, Christopher got candid about how his alcoholism had affected his relationship with his kids. 

“He talked a lot about them, so in this particular instance, when I asked him, he explained that he tried to see them,” she shares exclusively with PEOPLE. “I think he said once a month he tried to go to visit them… but you know he had to do it over a three-day period.”

According to Morrissey, Christopher shared that the last time he was able to see his son, Greysun, 14, and his daughter, Boheme, 8, was “about eight months at this point” after their last attempt at a visit went awry.

The Days of Our Lives alum had rented an Airbnb in preparation for their visit, but “passed out on the couch” and his kids ended up leaving with their mother, his ex-wife Brienne Pedigo. He didn’t realize he had “missed out on'' their time together until he awoke the next day.

“His son took it extremely, extremely hard,” Morrissey continues, with emotion quivering in her voice. “And I could sense and I could tell from the way he was describing that he had a really hard time forgiving himself for that.”

The experience became a pivotal moment and drove Christopher’s decision to “really make some serious changes to his life to be able to see his kids.”

“His kids were now his priority,” she says of the Daytime Emmy winner. “He was going to get sober, as difficult as it was, and stay sober so that he could see his kids again.”

At the time, Christopher was going on “six weeks sober” and had intentions of making good on his promise. 

"I think we were at the end of September … when we met him and he said, ‘I'm going to get to see my children on October 15,’” Morrissey recalls. 

On Oct. 31, Christopher’s former General Hospital costar, Maurice Benard confirmed his death in a statement shared to Instagram. 

"It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Tyler Christopher," Benard wrote. "Tyler passed away this morning following a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment."

Benard continued, "Tyler was a truly talented individual that lit up the screen in every scene he performed and relished bringing joy to his loyal fans through his acting. Tyler was a sweet soul and wonderful friend to all of those who knew him."

Tamika Belton, another devoted fan who was present at the experience, tells PEOPLE of his “kind-hearted soul” and his willingness to be vulnerable about the tough trials in his life. 

“My experience with him in New York, I will always hold that to my heart,” she says. “He was very open and honest about his life, his story. He told his story and I was just in awe just listening to him speak. I said this guy is not holding anything back. Nothing.”

“He wasn't ashamed. He wanted people to learn from what he did to his life. He spoke highly of his children. He spoke highly of his best friend. He loved his fans,” Belton continues, adding that Christopher had plans to write a book. 

The Florida native reveals how the two bonded over a heart-to-heart conversation where she opened up about her own experiences with loved ones who struggle with alcoholism. 

The piece of advice she received from the soap opera icon? “He said, ‘Never chase after a man, chase after your dreams,’” Belton recalls.

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If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.