STEPHEN BALDWIN’s sister ELIZABETH is convinced the actor’s descent into drug abuse was triggered by their father’s death.

The Usual Suspects star’s dad Alexander passed away in 1983 after a battle with lung cancer and the tragedy hit Baldwin, then 17, hard.

Shortly after his father’s death, the actor developed a cocaine habit - and Elizabeth is sure the two events are linked.

She tells Britain’s Closer magazine, “When our dad died it had a huge impact on Stephen. There was no father figure in his life any more.

“When you enter a world where people have a lot of money and fame, there are some who will pull you in the wrong direction. Stephen lost himself for a while.”

Baldwin quit drugs in 1989 following an ultimatum from his wife Kennya, who he married in 1990.