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The Incident Leading to His Death

In the months leading up to his death, Switzer was working as a bartender and hunting guide. He had fallen on hard times and was struggling financially.

The fatal incident stemmed from a $50 debt that Switzer claimed was owed to him by Moses “Bud” Stiltz, a man he had once been friendly with. The dispute was over a lost hunting dog:

• Switzer had borrowed a hunting dog that got lost.
• He later paid a man $35 to return the dog and demanded that Stiltz reimburse him the full $50 reward he had originally posted.
• Stiltz refused, which angered Switzer.

The Fatal Confrontation

On the night of January 21, 1959, Switzer and a friend, Jack Piott, went to Stiltz’s home in Mission Hills, California.

• Reports say Switzer was intoxicated.
• He allegedly banged on the door and demanded the money.
• A heated argument broke out, and a fight ensued inside the house.
• Switzer allegedly smashed a clock over Stiltz’s head and threatened him with a knife.

In response, Stiltz grabbed a revolver and shot Switzer in the groin, hitting a major artery. Switzer bled out and died on the way to the hospital.

Controversy & Conflicting Stories

At the time, the police ruled Switzer’s death as justifiable homicide, claiming Stiltz acted in self-defense. However, years later, a key witness—Tom Corrigan, the stepson of Stiltz—contradicted this account:

• Corrigan, who was 14 at the time, said Switzer never had a knife and was not a real threat.
• He claimed Stiltz shot first, without real justification.
• He also revealed that Switzer, after being shot, apologized before he died, saying, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
• According to Corrigan, Stiltz bragged afterward that he wouldn’t face any charges.

Despite these later revelations, the case was never reopened.

Aftermath & Legacy

Carl Switzer was buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery, with his gravestone reading “Beloved Son” but no mention of his acting career.

His death remains a cautionary tale of the struggles many child actors face after fame. While his legacy as “Alfalfa” lives on, his tragic ending serves as a reminder of how difficult life can be for former stars trying to transition into adulthood.