This alphabetical list contains 634 people whose deaths can be reliably sourced to be the result of drug overdose or acute drug intoxication. Where sources indicate drug overdose or intoxication was only suspected to be the cause of death, this will be specified in the ‘notes’ column. Where sources are able to indicate, deaths are specified as ‘suicide’, ‘accidental’, ‘undetermined’, or otherwise in the ’cause’ column.

MICHAEL JACKSON

When journalist Katie Couric televised her colonoscopy on NBC’s Today Show in 2000, screenings for colorectal cancer by 400 American endoscopists increased by 21% the next month 24. While there is no similar evidence concerning drug-related behaviour, imagine the positive effects of Prince receiving a timely and adequate addiction therapy, overcoming his addiction and talking openly about his experiences. We searched a U.S.-based search engine and websites in English which may have led to a selection bias towards U.S. celebrities. Also the perception of who we regard as celebrity might have changed during the study period, even more so after the rise of social media.

Doctor pleads guilty in Matthew Perry’s death

• On October 2, 2017, rocker was declared dead following an accidental drug overdose of several medications.
• Rodney King, who became a civil rights figure after LAPD officers were videotaped brutalizing him in 1991, died on June 17, 2012, at age 47.
• Physicians that care for celebrities should consider that celebrities may be at increased risk for substance abuse and addiction.

On a flight home from an Atlanta concert, the Academy Award-winning singer overdosed on Percocet that he was taking for hip problems. Fentanyl has taken away many great people over the last several years. The opioid, intended to alleviate pain, has created more of that for its victims’ families, loved ones, and fans. VIBE, somberly, recalls celebrities who have passed away due to fentanyl poisoning.

More From the Los Angeles Times

However, Michael Jeffery, Jimi’s personal manager, and Michael Goldstein, Jimi’s publicity agent, have shut down that Burdon was close enough to Jimi to be speaking out about his death. Daniel died of an accidental overdose at age 20 on September 10, 2006. Her death was believed to be a result of “combined drug intoxication.” After footage came out of her smoking crack, she entered rehab in January 2008.

Celebrity Drug Overdoses

Despite denying media speculation that she married him for his money, she was involved in a legal battle over his property after Howard’s death. Prince was found dead in an elevator at his Paisley Park compound in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on April 21, 2016. His cause of death was ruled an accidental overdose of the opioid fentanyl. Hollis died at age 47 from an accidental overdose of cocaine, fentanyl and alcohol on Feb. 11, 2023.

• They form deadly combinations with barbiturates and other sedatives and with alcohol.
• Tragically, at the young age of 21, he passed away due to a heroin overdose given to him by a photographer friend.
• After footage came out of her smoking crack, she entered rehab in January 2008.
• An autopsy reported that she died from drowning, atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use.
• The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office noted that the benzodiazepine effect contributed to his death and that the manner was homicide.
• Heidi Powell is sharing the last text messages she received from her ex Dave Hollis before his death.

Numerous celebrities of the past half century have been plagued with substance abuse problems, with disastrous results. This article highlights some of the most famous cases and briefly discusses medical views of substance abuse from Osler’s time to the present. Country singer Mindy McCready died on Feb. 17, 2013, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Mixing illicit, prescription or over-the-counter medications can be dangerous, and patients should always rule out drug interactions with their healthcare provider. The use of prescription medications with illegal drugs or alcohol can produce an unpredictable and fatal response, and many deaths due to such circumstances may have been preventable.

HANK WILLIAMS

According to TMZ, Coolio’s manager said that his severe asthma and decades-long use of cigarettes also played a role in his death. In April 2016, Prince died at his home in Chanhassen, Minnesota, following an accidental fentanyl overdose. Mac Miller was one of several young celebrities who tragically died from an overdose in recent years. Sadly, in 2018, at the age of 26, he accidentally consumed an excessive amount of fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol, leading to his untimely death. But tragically, almost a year to the day later, Perry was found dead at the age of 54 on October 28, 2023, with his passing partially attributed to opioid usage and an overdose of ketamine. Unfortunately, Perry’s steady career on screen stood in stark contrast to his tumultuous personal life.

See the best pictures from ‘The Idea of You’ movie

Society’s view of drug addiction celebrities who died of an overdose has changed very little since Osler’s and Halsted’s time and is still frequently approached with secrecy and denial. It should be noted that in the 19th century and the early 1900s, morphine usage was not only legal but more socially acceptable than alcohol. Morphine was used during the American Civil War as a surgical anesthetic and was sent home with numerous wounded soldiers for pain relief.

Diddy’s Son, Justin Combs, Reacts To Meek Mill Joining The “No Diddy” Trend Mocking His Father

The cause of death was ruled suffocation from inhaling vomit because of barbiturate intoxication. Houston’s body was discovered in the bathroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel submerged in a bathtub. An autopsy reported that she died from drowning, atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use. Cocaine, marijuana, Xanax, Flexeril and Benadryl were found in her body, but the four latter drugs did not contribute to her death, according to the report.