Autopsy finds rapper Mac Miller died from drugs and alcohol

<p>Rapper Mac Miller died from an accidental overdose caused by a combination of cocaine, alcohol, and the powerful opioid fentanyl, a coroner's report released Monday said.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 5, 2018, 9:37 PM

Updated 2,090 days ago

Share:

By ANDREW DALTON
AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Rapper Mac Miller died from an accidental overdose caused by a combination of cocaine, alcohol, and the powerful opioid fentanyl, a coroner's report released Monday said.
The Los Angeles County coroner's report named Miller's cause of death as "mixed toxicity" of the three substances found in his system.
The 26-year-old Pittsburgh native, who frankly discussed his depression and addiction in his rhymes, died suddenly on Sept. 7. He was known to many as Ariana Grande's ex-boyfriend, but had a devoted following that included some of the biggest names in hip-hop.
Miller's personal assistant, making a daily visit to Miller's home in the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles, found him unresponsive on his bed at about 11:30 a.m., the report states.
The assistant moved the body to the floor and performed CPR at the direction of a 911 operator. Paramedics soon arrived and Miller was declared dead 16 minutes after the initial 911 call.
The report says a police investigator found an empty bottle of liquor and drug paraphernalia, including a $20 bill with white powder residue on it that was in Miller's pocket.
The report notes that Miller's many tattoos included one of an hourglass on his arm with the words, "Only so much time left in this crazy world."
The rapper, whose real name was Malcolm James Myers McCormick, was generally healthy otherwise, the report stated. He had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, but his mother told investigators he had not overdosed in the past to her knowledge, or been hospitalized for any reason.
Miller's mother told a coroner's investigator that she had spoken to him the night before his death, and that he had been in good spirits, seeming very excited about a new album and upcoming tour.
Miller's assistant agreed, saying Miller was feeling positive about his projects, but said he had a tendency to slip into drug binges, and had such an episode three days before the one that left him dead.
The autopsy was performed three days after Miller's death, but the cause of death was deferred while toxicology tests were performed.
He is the latest musician whose death has been linked in recent years to a national wave of opioid abuse and overdoses. Prince died in 2016 when he took counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl that looked like a generic version of the painkiller Vicodin.
Miller's autopsy report did not address where he might have gotten the fentanyl or cocaine. 
Matthew Roberts, guitarist for the band 3 Doors Down, also died of an overdose in 2016, and had fentanyl and hydrocodone in his system.
Miller's death brought mourning and tributes from musical luminaries. Performers at a concert in his honor last week included Chance the Rapper, Travis Scott and John Mayer. The concert launched the Mac Miller Circles Fund in honor of the hip-hop star and raised money for arts education in underserved communities.
He was in a two-year relationship with Ariana Grande that ended earlier this year. She posted an affectionate video of him on her Instagram page weeks after his death, and released a new song, "Thank U, Next ," on Saturday that mentioned Miller along with "Saturday Night Live" star Pete Davidson, her fiance until recently. In the song, she pays tribute to Miller.
"Wish I could say thank you to Malcolm," the song says. "Cause he was an angel."
___
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


More from News 12
2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

2:11
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

0:46
New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

1:43
Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:44
Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

1:01
‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program