DJ AM Toxicology Results: Death Ruled Accidental Overdose

NEW YORK — DJ AM died accidentally from a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs and cocaine, the medical examiner's office ruled Tuesday.

The toxicology report showed the 36-year-old had in his system cocaine, OxyContin, Hydrocodone or Vicodin, antianxiety drugs Xanax and Ativan, Klonopin which also controls anger, Benadryl, and Levamisole, a drug apparently used to cut cocaine.

The cause of death was acute intoxication due to the combined effects the drugs, the medical examiner's office said. The dosage of each drug was not released.

The celebrity, whose real name was Adam Goldstein, had openly discussed past addictions to crack cocaine, Ecstasy and other drugs.

He was found Aug. 28 in his apartment in New York City's trendy SoHo neighborhood after a friend called 911. Paramedics had to break down the door before they found him, shirtless and wearing sweat pants, in his bed around 5:20 p.m.

Six pills were found in his stomach and a pill in his throat when he was found dead in his apartment. The pill in his throat appeared to be OxyContin. A crack pipe and prescription pill bottles were discovered there.

In October, MTV was to debut his reality show, "Gone Too Far," in which he and concerned families staged interventions for drug abusers. MTV hasn't said whether Goldstein's show will air.

Goldstein was critically hurt in a plane crash last September in Columbia, S.C., that killed four people. He was flying in a Learjet after a performance with Travis Barker, a drummer for the pop-punk band Blink-182 and Goldstein's partner in the duo TRVSDJ-AM.

Barker and Goldstein were burned. Goldstein had to get skin graft surgery but resumed performing about a month later.

Goldstein was known for his mashups – blends of at least two songs. He performed in clubs, on concert stages and at exclusive Hollywood parties. He was famous in part for his personal life – he dated actress-singer Mandy Moore and reality TV star Nicole Richie.

Comments

[Deadra Martin]

six degrees question? paris hilton grew up with this person dj am who dated nicole richie who had a drug problem paris partied with these people : lindsay lohan, britney spears, how is it that they end up as train wrecks and she doesn't?

[vwtx]

Riiiiiight. All those pills just accidentally fell down his throat and the coke just accidentally flew up his nose.

[ImissBush]

if thinkin rules dont apply 2u is an accident

[IllinoisTexan43]

That was no accident.

[RuffNReddy]

It's a good thing they mentioned his "trendy SoHo" apartment... otherwise i might have mixed feelings.
Sheesh.

[novodia9]

RIP DJ AM

[GatorGrrrl]

When are doctors going to finally be held accountable for giving addicts all these pills? I realize he's no great literary figure or anything, but the number of accidental overdoses due to prescription pills is mounting and I am sick of it.

[rocketdog56]

A lot of dr's don't know their patients are addicts, besides, if you take the prescribed amount of any drug, especially narcotics, and mix them with other narcotics and benzo's, chances are you might end up with acute respiratory suppression, then you die.

[GoDogGo]

Why do you presume doctors gave him the pills? You can get prescription drugs on the street as easily as a six-pack of beer.

[Jazmo]

He was prescribed some of the anti-anxie­ty/anti-de­pressants to help cope with his fear of flying (duh) and general anxiety from the crash. The pain pills, etc. are so easily obtainable, I would assume being in a club situation constantly would probably make it even easier. It's just all a big shame.

[voltage356]

Wow, how does someone dies accidentally from a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs and cocaine.

[malibumadman]

There is no such thing as an "accidental overdose", take it from me an ex-addict. Its just an attempt to lionize drug addicts like Keith Ledger and Michael Jackson. Folks, they overdosed and that's it, nothing accidental about it!

[malibumadman]

Stop With this pending approval!!!

[Evie55]

exactly my question! he still had pills in his mouth! how is that an accident? sounds like collusion to pay out life insurance benefits...

[DawnK]

I was thinking the same thing. Especially when you real what he was taking. Holy Crap!