When the world first learned of Johnny Lewis‘ sudden death, it all seemed like a shock. But was it really?

In the past 10 months, the Sons of Anarchy star — whose body was found in the driveway of an L.A. neighborhood after falling or leaping to his own death on Sept. 26 — had many run-ins with the law, well-documented drug struggles, orders to out-patient counseling and even served time behind bars. In fact, he was released just five days before his demise.

So should the warning signs of Lewis’ twisted and troubled life been better heeded?

“The answer is absolutely,” said HLN host Jane Velez-Mitchell. “The justice system failed us, and failed that landlady and her cat in the months leading up to that debacle.”

“Cops say that Johnny Lewis broke into a home and beat two men with a Pierre bottle and then, about a month later, attacked a man who was coming out of a yogurt shop and punched him in the face,” he said. “Despite all that, he was sentenced to 30 days in treatment. And after completing that, he was put on probation.”

But Velez-Mitchell thinks Lewis’ sentencing should’ve been more stringent. “Now, as a person in recovery, I’m all in favor of acknowledging that there is a substance abuse problem that needs to be treated, but violence is violence. And if somebody is violent, they need to be behind bars, in some sort of lock-down where they can’t hurt anybody else or themselves.”

“This should be a wake-up call for judges,” she warned. “There were many alarm bells in this case and…they all fell on deaf eyes. If somebody is behaving proactively in a violent fashion, just some kind of treatment program and then probation ain’t enough.”

In the end, Velez-Mitchell sees one take-home message from Lewis’ heartbreaking case: “Learn from this horror.”

Though Johnny Lewis‘ death may seem like a shock, a closer look at his last months sheds light on the truth: The Sons of Anarchy actor was on a dark, twisted descent into destruction.

In the past 10 months, Lewis — whose body was found in the driveway of an L.A. neighborhood after falling or leaping to his own death on Wednesday afternoon — had many run-ins with the law, well-documented drug struggles, orders to out-patient counseling and even served time behind bars. In fact, he was released just five days before his demise.

But perhaps the biggest warning sign laid in the lines of Lewis’ probation reports.

In connection to one of his three arrests this year, a probation officer noted grave concern about Lewis’ out-of-control ways. “There are significant issues which should be addressed,” the report states, according to the L.A. Times. “Obviously, defendant’s behavior is out of control and needs counseling afforded by a professional.”

Another report notes that Lewis “suffers from some form of chemical dependency, mental health issue and a lack of permanent housing. Given this, (Lewis) will continue to be a threat to any community he may reside.”

In fact, even Lewis’ attorney Jonathan Mandel spoke of the actor’s concerning mental state, admitted that his client’s family and friend had tried in vain to help him. “Johnny Lewis had a lot of problems, a lot of mental problems,” Mandel said on Thursday, according to CBS. “I recommended treatment for him but he declined it.”

In the end, it’s a chain of events that should have raised a red flag — or many. So the question is: In failing to heed glaring warning signs, did our justice system fail us in the case of Johnny Lewis? Weigh in with your remarks to HLN host Jane Velez-Mitchell. She will be taking questions and comments on the subject until Oct. 3 on Celebuzz.

Later this week, the Hollywood expert will share her thoughts on the Lewis case with the Celebuzz community. The award-winning TV journalist hosts the hit show Jane Velez-Mitchell, airing at 7PM ET on HLN, where she tackles the day’s most controversial events from a wide range of viewpoints. Check out HLNtv.com for more details.

The tragic end of  Sons of Anarchy star Johnny Lewis is investigated on Friday’s The Daily Buzz.

The Buzz‘s experts discuss the disturbing last days of Katy Perry’s ex-boyfriend before his death. Police allege Lewis murdered his eighty-one year old landlady, and her cat, before he fell or jumped to his death.

But the alleged violent rampage was the last in a number of escalating crimes attributed to Lewis who was arrested three times this year and reportedly been in and out of drug treatment.

The Buzz have the latest developments in the case.

And, the Disney Channel’s Debby Ryan drops by The Buzz‘s Hollywood studio.

The nineteen-year-old’s life changed after her show Jessie became a hit, but will Ryan soon leave the series that made her a teenage role model?

The young star also reveals her latest project inspired by Taylor Swift’s hit “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”.

The bubbly red head also talks for the first time about the day Demi Lovato once came to her rescue after she had a Hollywood car accident.

Plus, love is in the air — or is it? TDB is playing cupid, as a matchmaker examines which Hollywood couples are destined for happiness and which couples should just end it now.

Just days after Johnny Lewis‘s death, details continue to come to light about his life.

The late Sons of Anarchy star, 29 — whose body was found in the driveway of his L.A. home after falling or leaping to his own death on Wednesday afternoon — not only had many run-ins with the law in recent months, but his behavior left probation officials concerned about his mental health.

Now it appears Lewis — who played Kip “Half-Sack” Epps on two seasons of the FX series — had deep roots in Scientology, according to TMZ. The actor’s father, Michael Lewis, was a high-profile member of the controversial, star-studded religion — which counts Tom Cruise and John Travolta among its adherents — and even co-wrote a film with the faith’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

What was the actor’s attachment to the church? 

According to TMZ, Lewis was involved in Scientology’s drug abuse program, Narconon. The notoriously confidential church has yet to confirm whether the actor — who was released from jail only five days prior to his death — was in fact a member. 

But drugs weren’t Lewis’ his only trouble. In past months, the actor — who is suspected of murdering his landlady, Catherine Davis, 81, in their Los Feliz building before his own demise — was charged with battery, assault and attempted burglary. According to Fox News, he had been sent to treatment programs that address addiction and mental illness. And just four months ago, a probation officer noted concern about Lewis’ mental state, with the officer writing that he was “very concerned for the well-being of not only the community but that of the defendant.”

Results from Lewis’ Thursday autopsy are expected within two weeks time and will help to determine cause of death, the L.A. Coroner’s office said.

According to authorities, Lewis’ landlady died of blunt-force trauma and manual strangulation.

Before it became the scene of a bloody rampage allegedly carried out by Sons of Anarchy actor Johnny Lewis, the Los Feliz, Calif. home the 28-year-old shared with his elderly landlord was a writer’s retreat that has been home to many of Hollywood’s notable actors, directors and muscians.

For 35 years, Catherine Davis, 81, had rented out homes – including her own — to those who came to Los Angeles with dreams of making it big.

Dubbed the “Writers’ Villa”, Davis’ home — where Lewis also lived at the time of their deaths — “is a rambling Spanish home in Los Angeles, set up for creative people”.

Which celebs also lived at the home nestled in the Hollywood Hills?

White Collar actor Matt Bomer, Hung star Thomas Jane and Parker Posey have all called either the house at 3605 Lowry Road, or its guest quarters, their home during their careers.

Notable directors including Gossip Girl‘s Michael Fields, General Hospital‘s Scott McKinsey and The Good Wife‘s Joshua Marston have also stayed in the home overlooking the Hollywood sign.

Lewis had stayed at Davis’ home previously and had not caused the elderly woman any problems, Davis’ friend and co-worker Maryann Kuk revealed exclusively to Celebuzz.

“Not at all, he had stayed at the house before,” Kuk said. “I’m sure the police have a better idea [why he did this].”

Lewis had been arrested three times this year – twice for violent assaults. Yet his landlord lived peacefully alongside him in her own home in the multi-million dollar neighborhood overlooking the Hollywood sign.

“She lived there as her home, and she made it home for many other people,” added Kuk.

“Our Guest House Apt is a separate unit at the Writers Villa with its own private entrance and outside patio area” according to the home’s website.

“The apartment is fully furnished and supplied with bedding, towels, kitchenware, etc. has free Wi-Fi access to the Internet and a large screen HD TV with Direct-TV service.

“All the comforts of a home-away-from-home in a lush garden setting.”

Police are still piecing together what happened at the Los Feliz home Wednesday morning.

Police were called to the home around 10.30 a.m. where they found Lewis dead on the driveway and inside found Davis who died of what appears to be blunt force trauma. Davis’ cat had also reportedly been beaten to death.

Police allege Lewis killed Davis and then assaulted a neighbor and his handyman.

Click on the gallery above to see inside the home where Johnny Lewis and his alleged victim Cathy Davis lived.

Catherine Davis, 81, had no reason to think her tenant, Sons Of Anarchy actor Johnny Lewis, would harm her, her close friend has said.

The 28-year-old actor – and ex of pop superstar Katy Perry — had shared the elderly woman’s Los Feliz, Calif. home before and had not been a problem, her co-worker and friend Maryann Kuk told Celebuzz.

Davis was found dead on Wednesday morning, after Lewis allegedly beat her, and her cat, to death before allegedly attacking two more people and jumping or falling to his own death.

Despite the horrific nature of the Davis’ death, Kuk said the elderly woman had not expressed any fears about her tenant.

Kuk was adamant that Lewis had not been causing Davis — whom friends called Cathy — any trouble prior to his alleged rampage.

“Not at all, He had stayed at the house before,” Kuk told Celebuzz exclusively. “I’m sure the police have a better idea [why he did this].”

Lewis had been arrested three times this year — twice for violent assaults. Yet the 81-year-old lived peacefully alongside him in her own home in the multimillion dollar neighborhood overlooking the Hollywood sign.

“She lived there as her home, and she made it home for many other people.”

For 35 years, Davis had been renting out homes — including her own — through her Housing Solutions business to give people a good start in Hollywood.

“This is devastating for all of us,” Kuk said the day after her beloved friend was killed, allegedly at Lewis’ hands. “She was the most gorgeous, beautiful and kind person I ever met, and she was a joy to work with and to know. To know her was to love her.”

Despite her age, Davis was effervescent and vibrant, her co-worker said. “She was young at heart,” Kuk said..” On her 80th birthday party, it was quite something. A lot of people who had come through [the homes] came.”

Davis leaves behind a daughter, her daughter’s long-term partner, their child and a sister, Kuk said.

Dan Blackburn, one of the men allegedly attacked by Johnny Lewis on Wednesday, was left bruised and bloodied by the Sons of Anarchy actor shortly before Lewis’ death, eyewitness Maria Marcado tells Celebuzz exclusively.

“He had blood all over his face,” Marcado revealed Thursday, adding Blackburn also suffered a black eye from the violent incident.

“[Blackburn] said he hired a painter who was painting his front deck on a ladder and was attacked out of nowhere,” she continued. “No one knew where [Lewis] came from. He just started punching Dan and the painter.”

Lewis, 28, was found dead early Wednesday morning in Los Feliz., Calif., after he allegedly murdered his 81-year-old landlady, identified by coroner’s officials as Catherine Davis.

Initial police reports concluded that Lewis likely fell onto the driveway of the property, either from the stairway, balcony or one of the roofs.

“Dan said it looked like he may have jumped from his balcony to the neighboring house and didn’t realize how far it was and didn’t make it,” Marcado told Celebuzz.

Marcado, who works for one of Blackburn’s neighbors, says she first noticed something was awry when she heard loud screaming on the way home from the market.

“As soon as I parked, I heard a loud screaming from a male voice, [saying], ‘Stop, you’re hurting me,’” she said.

Marcado says she approached the scene of the incident with her next-door neighbor after the neighbor failed to see anything on his first pass. It was then that they discovered Lewis’ body.

“I saw a male laying in the driveway. I don’t know how he ended up there,” she said.

“He didn’t look hurt at all,” she continued. “He didn’t have a scratch on him.”

Lewis — who was released from prison just six days ago, on Sept. 21, following a string of arrests — was perhaps best known for his work on Sons of Anarchy and The OC.

TV actor Johnny Lewis — who died early Wednesday morning in Los Feliz, Calif., after allegedly killing an elderly woman — was arrested three times this year, twice on separate charges of battery and attempted robbery, Celebuzz has learned.

According to police documents, Lewis, 28, was charged with battery on a person after he struck a man in the face with his fist, on February 10. The incident occurred just moments after Lewis had struck up a conversation with the man and his family at a nearby yogurt shop.

On February 18, Lewis was arrested again — this time, for attempting to break into the home of an unidentified woman.

The report says the woman confronted Lewis after she noticed he was trying to force open one of the windows in her home. When asked what he was doing, Lewis claimed he was looking for a friend.

The woman quickly notified police, who were able to detain Lewis just down the street.

TMZ adds that Lewis was arrested prior to both incidents, on January 3, after he committed felony assault with a deadly weapon.

Details on the crime were unavailable; the report says , however, that Lewis was sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to enter rehab for “treatment of mental health and/or drugs and alcohol.”

Lewis was also sentenced to 303 days in jail for the crimes committed in February. He was released on September 21.

Lewis was found dead in the driveway on the property of an 81-year-old woman, from whom he was said to be renting a room. Lewis is believed to have murdered the woman just prior to his own death, according to the initial report.

“He appeared to have died from some type of fall, either from the stairway, or from the balcony, or from one of the roofs,” LAPD Commander Andrew Smith told KABC.

“The best we’re piecing together now is that it appears that some type of altercation occurred inside of the house resulting in the death of the woman. Then this individual ran outside, had an altercation with a couple of neighbors, ran back into the house and by the time we got here, he had fallen or had somehow died on the driveway,” Smith continued.

Lewis is best known for his roles on Sons of Anarchy and The OC. He briefly dated singer Katy Perry in 2006.

Actor Johnny Lewis was found dead early Wednesday morning on the property of an elderly woman he’s suspected of murdering.

According to ABC News, police were called to the scene in Los Feliz, Calif., after they heard reports of a woman screaming. They arrived to find Lewis’ body dead in her driveway.

“He appeared to have died from some type of fall, either from the stairway, or from the balcony, or from one of the roofs,” LAPD Commander Andrew Smith told KABC.

“The best we’re piecing together now is that it appears that some type of altercation occurred inside of the house resulting in the death of the woman. Then this individual ran outside, had an altercation with a couple of neighbors, ran back into the house and by the time we got here, he had fallen or had somehow died on the driveway,” Smith continued.

Sources tell TMZ that Lewis — who was renting a room from the 81-year-old woman  — attacked two neighbors with a piece of wood before climbing to the roof and falling to his death. Investigators claim he beat the woman to death, for reasons unknown.

TMZ adds that Lewis, 28, is the sole suspect in the case.

Lewis, who is known for his roles on Sons of Anarchy and The OC, dated singer Katy Perry, in 2006.